Circle 2
Circle 2
[Flora Crimsonhowl: Are you busy?]
What could be the reason for her contact?
I take a long swig of the soda I bought along with the eggs and think carefully.
'If I say I have time, will it turn into something annoying?'
Even if that were the case, evasion isn't a viable long-term strategy.
To grasp the plans and connections my father is hiding, maintaining contact with the Crimsonhowls is essential.
'First of all.'
I politely send a message apologizing for the late reply.
Since the position of stepbrother is nothing more than an empty title, etiquette is important.
Recalling Flora's personality from the past, acting high and mighty just because I became her brother or trying to get uncomfortably close wouldn't be right.
'Actually, that probably applies to anyone.'
[Flora Crimsonhowl: I heard you aren't staying at the Steiger estate but are living independently.]
A chill momentarily brushed my skin, but the text that followed quickly eased the tension.
[Flora Crimsonhowl: My mother enjoys cooking and wants to send you some side dishes. Would that be alright?]
Max let out a sigh of relief at the unexpectedly mundane message.
'Should I be glad it's nothing serious...?'
However, saying she would "send" them meant she intended to come in person.
The mere thought of that scenario was horrifying.
'It would be better if I went myself.'
The place Max lived in now was on the outskirts of Heize—a studio apartment that didn't even have heating.
The refrigerator was a 40L mini-fridge that came as an option; even if he received the side dishes, there was no room to put them.
'In that case.'
Max continued typing his message.
He informed her of his plan to move in the near future and asked if he could receive them after the move was finished. A reply came quickly.
[Flora Crimsonhowl: Understood.]
A message that signaled the end of the conversation.
"Phew!"
Only then did Max feel like he could breathe. He hurried to get ready to head home.
Waking up the next morning, Max informed the landlord of his intent to vacate the studio.
After settling the utility bills in advance, it was training and more training.
He continued to organize his thoughts through meditation, then checked the clock and left the house.
[This stop is District 38.]
'I'm excited.'
Exiting the subway, I popped a lollipop into my mouth.
It was lemon-flavored.
Jubeok. Jubeok. Jubeok.
I walked along the neon street toward Mermaid's Song.
I arrived exactly at 19:00.
When I went to the counter and presented my membership card, Joshua stood up.
"Please wait a moment."
Joshua lowered the store's shutters, signaling that business hours were over.
"Please, come inside."
He opened the door behind the counter, leading into a private living space.
Joshua handed over the items.
Inside a plain shopping bag were two elegant white boxes.
'This is it.'
My heart fluttered like a child receiving a gift.
The boxes were made of a light, sturdy material, with hologram seals attached to the seams.
"I would appreciate it if you could verify the items."
"I'll check them right now."
I tore the seal and thud! opened the box; a cold mist flowed out from within.
I confirmed the contents were in perfect condition.
"Customer. I will keep watch, so you may administer them here. I can dispose of the used ampoules for you free of charge."
"Thank you."
As Max rolled up his sleeves without hesitation, Joshua cautiously voiced his curiosity.
"...You don't hesitate at all. I thought you would move to a separate location."
"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have asked you for the job."
While there was trust, the offer to cleanly dispose of the ampoules was enticing.
The fewer pieces of evidence, the better.
'Shall I begin?'
Explaining just how peerless Genesis Bio's Solution No. 1 and No. 2 were would only result in a sore throat.
Despite the existence of a similar lineup using the same ingredients from their arch-rival and competitor, Cheonmyeong Pharmaceuticals, even the high-ranking executives of Cheonmyeong would fill their own bodies and those of their children with Genesis Solutions.
'Genesis Bio Solution Number 1.'
[Prime Exclusive — Gold Nectar]
This shimmering golden liquid reorganizes the body's structure.
It is a modern-day elixir that forges muscle density to be tighter, elasticity to be like rubber bands, and flesh and bone to be even sturdier.
'Solution Number 2, Black Obsidian.'
[Prime Exclusive — Black Obsidian]
An ampoule where something like brilliant stardust floats amidst a liquid as black as the abyss.
The reason Max had scrambled to gather money so quickly was because of this Black Obsidian.
'You're mine now.'
The standard and ideal timing to administer Black Obsidian is immediately after the magic circuits are formed; children of conglomerate families inject this drug the very day they reach Circle 1.
The effect is revolutionary.
It increases the efficiency of every process involved in accumulating magic in the heart.
Since it changes the growth rate, it creates a massive difference in the long run, so it's better to administer it even a day earlier.
'First, Gold Nectar.'
I pick up the ampoule equipped with a precision mechanism and press it against my forearm.
Pushik! With the sound of escaping air, the needle embedded itself. The golden liquid was pushed straight in.
"Oh."
A burning sensation, as if lava were flowing through my veins, swept through my entire body. Gold was flowing.
As the heat seeped into my muscles, moisture evaporated from my body. My lips grew dry, and I felt an intense thirst.
As if accustomed to the situation, Joshua handed me a bottle of water.
"Here is some water."
"Thank you."
I quenched my thirst and picked up the next ampoule.
'Black Obsidian.'
I use it on the opposite forearm.
Through the needle, the pitch-black liquid and starlit fragments flowed in.
Unlike the Gold Nectar, this one brought a chill.
Instead of seeping into the muscles like Gold Nectar, it directly interfered with the magic circuits.
The amount of magic capacity also rose instantly.
'I can do it now.'
Following the path created by the Black Obsidian, I extend my senses into the circuits.
I expand them into the ideal form for using magic I have an affinity for.
"Huuuuu..."
At the end of the hazy afterglow, Max opened his eyes.
A brilliant light, symbolizing change, flashed in his pupils.
'Circle 2.'
He had reached the stage he couldn't touch simply due to a lack of magic capacity.
Joshua, sensing the change, gave a small round of applause.
"Congratulations."
After a short conversation with Joshua, Max left through the back door and returned to his studio.
Dragon horns, tanned skin, and lively golden eyes.
A girl with a strong personality huffed in front of Flora, who was packing her bag.
"You know our record is exactly half-and-half right now, right? I'm gonna clearly show who's really on top during the next match. So you better stay on your toes!"
"..."
"Don't expect any mercy next time! I'm definitely not gonna lose!"
"..."
Having finished her classes at the Academy, Flora ignored the student who was jumping around wildly and left the classroom.
"That, that girl! Did she zip her mouth shut? How can she just walk away and leave a person feeling so awkward?"
"..."
She left the voices behind. If she said even one word, the girl would follow her and never stop chattering.
As Flora left the Academy building, she meticulously reflected on today's match.
'As much as I'm growing, Ellen is steadily getting stronger too.'
The student who was huffing in front of her just now was Ellen Clements.
The Clements family, like the Crimsonhowls, was a prestigious Magic Family.
If the Crimsonhowls were wolves that swallowed fire, the Clements were dragons that shook the heavens with thunder.
Ellen Clements was the only student at Minerva Academy who could compete on equal terms with Flora.
'Can I win? Next time too?'
She wasn't certain. Perhaps due to the residual electricity Ellen had scattered, a slight tremor remained in her fingertips.
Chewing on her worries, Flora left Minerva Academy and approached the family vehicle waiting for her.
Ziiing—.
The rear window slid down smoothly.
Enri Crimsonhowl smiled as she saw Flora.
"Mother?"
"Flora. Hurry and get in."
Once the mother and daughter were seated in the back, the car started moving slowly.
Enri stroked Flora's hair, telling her she did a good job today.
"Flora. If you aren't busy, shall we go grocery shopping together?"
"Yes!"
Her mother preferred to cook personally. Even though there was a chef at home, she did it herself from time to time.
Cooking could be called her mother's only hobby.
Flora didn't know much about cooking, but she liked grocery shopping with her mother.
The Crimsonhowl main estate was located in District 2.
The mart in District 2 that the mother and daughter headed to was very spacious. It boasted a variety and freshness of ingredients where nothing was missing.
Aside from the staff, it was a space with almost no customers.
However, it wasn't in the red.
It made a large profit by regularly supplying high-priced, bulk ingredients to conglomerate families.
"For a man, meat dishes are probably the best, right? He was quite well-built, too."
"I suppose so."
Enri was contemplating what side dishes to make for Max Steiger, who had become her son.
Flora couldn't understand why Enri was being so attentive to Max Steiger, but she had no intention of prying deep.
There must be a reason why she didn't live with the man who became her father after the remarriage.
"Flora."
"Yes."
"When the side dishes are finished, could you take them to your brother? It might be burdensome if I go myself."
"Uh..."
Wouldn't that be the same for her?
Just looking at the dry messages she exchanged with Max Steiger a few days ago made her certain.
It was a distance that went beyond mere awkwardness.
Nevertheless, Flora was in no position to refuse her mother's request.
"...Alright."
Flora gave a small nod, agreeing to do so.