I Regressed and Became a Stepsister's Older Brother -2-
I Regressed and Became a Stepsister's Older Brother -2-
"Whoa."
Max let out an exclamation of admiration as he looked at the Grand Lunatic Hotel across the street.
As expected of a hotel located in the 10th District.
It was grand and flamboyant. It was the epitome of luxury.
'I have plenty of time.'
It was the moment he shoved his hands into his pockets and tried to nonchalantly pass through the entrance.
Bodyguards dressed in suits instantly blocked his path.
"Please wait a moment."
"Yes."
Max did not panic.
Rather, he understood.
'My appearance doesn't match the neighborhood's level, so they must find me suspicious.'
Unlike the other guests, I was the only one subject to inspection.
It wasn't something to feel particularly unpleasant about.
In fact, I was a guy who had come up from the lower districts. The bodyguards had caught on correctly.
'The bodyguards here do their jobs well. They have good instincts.'
Max did not resist the detector being thrust at him and underwent a search of his belongings.
He revealed his business.
"I'm here for a lunch appointment."
"We will verify that for you. Could you give us the name of the person who made the reservation?"
"Layton Steiger. This is the phone number."
At the name Steiger, the bodyguards stirred.
Ignoring them, he showed them his father's number registered on his smartphone.
"...Could you show us your ID?"
"Here."
Only after verifying the authenticity of the ID with a scanner was approval granted.
"Max Steiger-nim! We apologize for the inconvenience!"
"It's fine. It's your job."
"The restaurant is on the G floor. I will call an attendant."
"That's okay. I can find my way alone."
Shaking off the bodyguards, he headed inside.
Ignoring the gazes piercing him from all sides, he went straight to the elevator.
"Which floor are you going to?"
"G floor."
At the guidance that he could board, he stepped inside.
Alone in the spacious elevator. He found his eyes rolling around like a country bumpkin.
'It's high-class.'
The interior of the elevator was cool and refreshing.
There was even a subtle fragrance lingering.
It was comfortable enough that he wanted to lie down and take a nap.
Ding!
[G floor.]
It was a pity he arrived so quickly.
Moving his feet, which were reluctant to leave, he stepped out of the elevator, and a staff member bowed.
"Max Steiger-nim. I will guide you."
They must have been in contact with the bodyguards at the entrance.
'Convenience is the best, after all.'
Max followed behind without a word, and upon entering, he saw his father in the distance.
And across from his father, he saw red hair and perked-up ears.
It wasn't just one person, but two.
'Wasn't it just the person who is my stepmother? Besides, with that hair color and being a beastkin, could it be...'
The memory he saw in the revolving lantern just before his regression came to mind.
─ Look closely. Do you really not know me? Does nothing come to mind even after hearing my name?
Had his father formed a connection with that family?
Max stopped in his tracks from the confusion and repeatedly wiped his face with his dry hands.
"Max Steiger-nim? Are you alright?"
"Ah, I'm fine. I see my party now, so you may return."
Sending the staff member away, Max organized his complicated thoughts and strode toward the table.
"I'm here."
At the sound of his voice, his father looked up, his face wrinkling in disapproval.
That face that said he didn't like anything I did. It was an attitude I had seen to the point of boredom in the past.
"How disrespectful. What is with that attire?"
"Everyone dresses like this these days."
In truth, he knew it lacked formality.
He simply lacked the balance in his bank account to dress neatly. He hadn't had time to grow his money yet, either.
"Tsk, sit down."
"Excuse me."
As he sat in the chair, he gave a slight nod to the two people sitting opposite him.
"Welcome."
The woman who looked older accepted the greeting softly.
The girl with the blunt expression sitting next to her responded with a quiet nod.
"This is your stepmother. Greet her."
"I am... Max Steiger."
Since he had come here of his own volition, he properly attached the family name he didn't usually use.
In the past, he might have taken an attitude his father loathed as a form of rebellion, but he knew now that his father wasn't the only one who would be troubled if he ruined the atmosphere.
The two people in front of him were innocent and had no reason to be embarrassed.
"I am Enri Crimsonhowl. I'm happy to have such a wonderful son."
"I look forward to your kind guidance."
Max showed his manners as calmly as possible.
'As expected... it really is Crimsonhowl.'
Crimsonhowl was one of the Magic Families representing Heize.
The characteristics of a Wolf Beastkin harmonizing with red hair were also proof of the family.
That was why Max was curious.
'How on earth did he get involved with Crimsonhowl?'
With the size of the Steiger Family, it was a hill they wouldn't dare to climb.
It was impossible to even guess how the relationship was formed.
Max's gaze moved quietly.
'Then the one sitting next to her is indeed...'
The Wolf Girl who had appeared in his revolving lantern.
She looked much younger than when he had faced her in his previous life.
"Flora? You should greet your brother."
"I am Flora Crimsonhowl."
A flat, dry voice. It was the name Max had expected.
When Flora's brief self-introduction ended, Enri drew a smile asking for understanding.
"Our Flora is very shy around strangers."
"I'm not exactly a social person myself, so I understand."
"And even if I say I'm your mother... it must be very troubling and awkward, right? There's no need to force it. Just think of it as having more distant relatives."
"Thank you for your consideration. I will try to accept it slowly."
Food arrived during the conversation.
It was a light dish signaling the start of the course.
"Flora is currently in her final year at Minerva Academy. She has to return immediately after the meal."
"...Final year. It seems I've taken up precious time."
Back when Max was part of Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals—graduates of Minerva Academy were scattered everywhere.
'An educational institution where children from wealthy families gather. It also functions as a community, they said.'
That was why Flora's capabilities were even more shocking.
He was certain that even the geniuses who graduated from the academy with excellent grades and got jobs at Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals wouldn't even reach Flora's feet.
'She's strong. It's an absurd level for an academy cadet.'
It was because she had that much talent that she could reach the figure of the future.
If the trajectory from before his regression remained valid, Flora would become the head of Crimsonhowl and the master of Muspelheim.
"I remember the Steiger Family also sends their children to Minerva Academy. Then Max must be Flora's senior."
"No. I did not attend the academy."
Had his father not even explained this? Because there was no malice in Enri's voice, I also replied lightly.
However, Enri's face instantly turned pale.
"Oh dear... I'm sorry. I've committed a discourtesy."
In the past, it would have been like rubbing salt into a painful wound.
But now, it really didn't matter.
"There's no need to apologize. I don't think much of it."
Just as he was about to regain the atmosphere somehow.
His father, who had been listening quietly, cut in with a word.
"Sending a fellow with no talent to the academy would only tarnish the family's prestige. It's a waste of money."
At Layton Steiger's vitriol, not only Enri but even Flora showed signs of bewilderment.
However, Max, the party involved, was calm.
He didn't feel the need to get angry, so he reacted blandly.
Because there would be a time to prove the true talent he possessed to the Steiger Family.
And.
He also knew that a sly and naive response irritated his father even more.
"You're right. It would have been a waste of money even if I went."
"You weakling...!"
Look at that.
The heated reaction comes instantly.
'In the first place, I just wasn't compatible with Steiger magic.'
In his previous life, he had been too stubborn and realized that too late.
Thus, he was even more grateful for this regression.
The uncomfortable meal, which felt like walking on thin ice, came to an end.
As the last plate of the course meal was cleared, the Crimsonhowl mother and daughter excused themselves for a moment to tidy up.
Max did not miss the opportunity. It was time to hear the main point from his father.
"So, why did you call me today?"
"I've prepared a position at Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals. Go there."
If it were the me of the past, I would have refused out of petty pride, but now there was a difference in nuance.
Even if the result of refusal was the same, the reason behind it was different. I had to at least check his reaction. Because Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals was my grave.
"Father, you should know better than I do that Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals is in a rival relationship with Genesis Bio, which Crimsonhowl co-founded... What is the reason for pushing me in there?"
His tone asked what kind of situation this was.
Anger settled on Layton Steiger's face.
"If your father has paved the way for you, you should be grateful. Where do you get off talking back!"
Max did not reply and drank the remaining coffee.
It was a meeting that didn't make sense in many ways.
'I'll need to investigate this side.'
After I build up my strength first, of course.
"This brat...!"
His father couldn't continue his fit of rage.
Because he saw the Crimsonhowl mother and daughter returning.
Enri, as if she had discussed something separately with Flora, approached with a smiling face and spoke loud enough for Max to hear.
"Flora. Wouldn't it be good to at least exchange numbers with your brother?"
"..."
Flora sent a fixed gaze, and Max curled the corners of his mouth, thinking of the old days.
After about three seconds had passed.
Flora gave a small nod and took out her smartphone.
"..."
After leaving the hotel and getting into the vehicle, Flora found it difficult to understand the conversation from earlier.
She toyed with her red hair and chewed over it.
'No talent and weak? That man?'
Max Steiger, who had somehow become her stepbrother.
He seemed to have tried hard to hide it, but Flora saw it. He was probably 1st Circle.
Certainly, his Circle itself was low.
However, Circle was not an absolute standard that determined victory or defeat.
'No matter how I look at it, that man is much more than the other Steiger children...'
Flora looked at the number registered on her smartphone and perked her ears.