As Raine left the room, looking up at the white smoke spreading across the ceiling, there was a knock at the door.

"What is it?"

The chief asked, and the door slowly opened. A blond man entered the room.

"Excuse me, Director."

"Chris, is it?"

The person who entered the room was a disciple named Christophe. He was also Raine's senior and a third-class national alchemist.

"Yes. I heard Raine was transferred to the town of Leat?"

That's quick information. Did he hear it from Raine? No, Raine wouldn't have told anyone.

"That fool has made too many enemies."

"That's how he is. I've known him for a long time, and I've often felt like punching him."

"So have I."

Raine had been a genius, even beyond exceptional, since childhood. However, he looked down on his senior disciple, Chris, and at times even sneered at me, his mentor.

"Is this about August?"

"Yes, it is."

"We should just ignore it. Losing Raine would be too painful. Indeed, he has a difficult personality, but his skills are undeniable. He was the top student of the 50th class of the academy."

The 50th class of the academy... The 50th class of the Royal Capital's Magic School was known as the best, with nobles, notable families of magicians, and talented disciples enrolling at the same time. But at the top of that class was Raine, a scholarship student. He earned his national alchemist certification up to the 5th class while still in school, completely outshining everyone else. Naturally, I heard he was disliked for being that way.

"It would have been fine if it was just August, but that brat used his parents to apply pressure."

"August's parents? Weren't they the head of the Mage Association?"

"Yes. That's why they demanded that Raine be assigned to my department."

Raine held the 5th class national mage certification, only because he didn't want to be looked down upon as a fool. When I heard that, I thought he was an idiot.

"They're obviously planning to send him to the northern front."

This country is in a state of war with a nation to the north.

"Probably. That's why I refused, of course."

Raine may be skilled in magic, but he has no combat experience. He can't fight, being stuck behind a desk. He'd likely get himself killed, even by his own allies, given how disliked he is in the north.

"Did you demote him to protect him?"

"No, the plan to transfer him somewhere hasn't changed because no team wants him."

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How could someone be disliked so much? He is undoubtedly the best alchemist in this headquarters.

"Is that why it's Leat? Wasn't there a slightly better place? Leat is such a rural backwater."

"That kind of place is just right for him. He keeps looking up, not paying attention to his footing. It's a good opportunity for him to cool his head and start over in the countryside."

"Will he change? He probably genuinely thinks everyone but himself is incompetent."

Despite being a commoner and an orphan, he thought that way even toward nobles and didn't bother hiding it.

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

He's hopeless.

After leaving the director's office, I descended the stairs and headed to my atelier. I began to tidy up.

"Um, Raine... about the recent orders?"

Helen asked hesitantly.

"I've been sent to the countryside. It's a demotion, a downgrade."

"Wha...?"

"To put it nicely, it's like saying there's no place for me here, so I should start over somewhere where no one knows me. It's the master's final act of kindness."

In reality, it was practically a declaration of dismissal.

"Raine..."

"Sigh... I failed at my second life too."

After two failures, I finally understood... I'm just a terrible person... The director called it ambition, but in truth, I'm just a demon who only thinks about bringing others down. I'm no different from August.

"It's not a failure yet! Raine, you're still young and can start over!"

That's probably what the master wanted to say.

"I understand. People learn from their failures... But, somehow, I'm just tired."

The path to promotion has been cut off. What should I live for now? No, come to think of it, what lies beyond promotion in the first place? Money? Women? Eating good food? I only need enough money to live, and I don't need women. For someone with a lousy upbringing like mine, any food tastes good.

What do I really need...?

"Raine?"

"Maybe... it's enough."

"Raine!? No! Stay strong!"

Helen clung to my face. I couldn't see in front of me.

"No, I'm not planning to die. Dying is scary, and it's painful."

I know because I've experienced it. The sensation of the body cooling rapidly is terrifying.

"Oh, I see..."

Helen, who had calmed down, jumped onto the desk, but she still looked up at me worriedly, so I petted her.

Helen had been with me since I was a child. I had no friends, no family. I only worked, had no hobbies to speak of, and no girlfriend. Even for someone like me, there's something precious. That's Helen.

"What's important in life..."

In my past life and this one, I think I learned and worked hard initially just to survive. But now, I'm already in a position where I can make enough money to live. What more is there...?

"Raine?"

Helen tilted her head cutely at my muttering.

"I failed at rising through the ranks in both my first and second lives. Should I just hope for a third chance...?"

"Do you think there will be a third time?"

"Who knows. Either way, promotion in the capital is impossible now. I have no choice but to start over in Leat."

"You can still get promoted in Leat and live a happy life!"

That's right... You're absolutely right. I have Helen.

"Helen, I want to avoid failure in Leat."

"Leave it to me! I may not be much as a familiar, but I can offer advice!"

She's a good familiar.

"Alright, staying here is just miserable. Let's pack up quickly."

"I'll help!"

They began to gather Raine's personal belongings and stored them using spatial magic. After cleaning up, Raine went to the reception to express his gratitude for their help and to apologize for any trouble he had caused, and then he returned home.

Even at home, he continued packing and informed his landlord that he would be terminating the lease. The preparations to leave town went smoothly, and at that moment, he thought, "Ah, I don't even have anyone to say goodbye to," feeling a bit down.

After finishing all preparations and storing the luggage with spatial magic, Raine and Helen headed to the airport and purchased a ticket. They sat on a bench to wait until it was time to board.

"Raine."

Hearing his name, Raine turned around and saw a woman from the reception desk of the Alchemist Association's headquarters standing there. Since she was in plain clothes, he didn't recognize her for a moment, but then he remembered her because of what happened on his last day at work.

"Hello. Are you off today?"

What is she doing here?

"Yes, that's right. I came to see you off since it was a good opportunity."

Huh? To see me off?

"Why?"

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

I guess there are people like that...

"Thank you."

"Raine, have you thought about where you will stay after you arrive in Leat?"

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

Or maybe I'll sleep in my workshop. Even in a remote place like Leat, there should be a personal atelier, at the very least.

"I see. In that case, please take this."

The receptionist handed me a ticket of some sort, and when I looked, it was a hotel voucher.

"What's this?"

"It's a voucher for a hotel in Leat. I got it last year when I visited a friend and stayed there. You can have it."

"Thank you... um..."

I realized I hadn't even asked for her name...

"Sigh... should I introduce myself? You might regret it, though."

"No, I'm sorry, but may I know your name?"

I need to send a thank you note later.

"It's Adele. Adele von Yodel."

"........."

Oh no...

That name sounds very familiar...

No wonder she said those things...

"W-Were you a classmate...? I sincerely apologize..."

And she's a noble lady, too...

That was beyond rude.

"Yes. I am Adele, who was in the same class with you for three years at the Magic School. Do you understand now why I dislike you?"

I understand all too well. It's completely unacceptable not to remember the face or name of a classmate who studied at the same school and then reunited at the workplace. Moreover, ignoring her greeting...

"I am truly, deeply sorry."

"Make sure you don't forget this lesson. And don't forget that you were the top student and representative of our class. I wish you success in Leat, my friend. Goodbye."

Adele walked away gracefully.

"Goodbye..."

"She's such a nice person... What have you been doing..."

She even went out of her way to come see me off and gave me a parting gift.

"I should write a thank you note and an apology letter once I get there."

"That would be the right thing to do."

As we watched Adele's retreating figure, it was time to board the airship. Then, the airship took off, and I left the capital where I had spent the last 22 years since my reincarnation.