This Reincarnation Requires a Subscription Fee

[Message from Heaven]  

(Notification) You have purchased the “All-Seeing Magnifying Glass.” Would you like to receive it immediately?  

[Yes/No]  

As soon as I selected ‘Yes,’ the item dropped out of thin air.  

At the same time, the number next to the “Heaven Coins” section at the top of the Heaven Market decreased by a whopping 50 million in real-time.  

Heaven Coins: 3,110,363,200  

Still, more than 3.1 billion remained.  

‘Good. Plenty.’  

Satisfied, I closed the message window and looked at the item that had fallen to the floor.  

Last time, I was startled when the item dropped without any proper packaging.  

This time, it was securely packaged in a box.  

‘Well, that’s a surprise.’  

I glanced up at the empty air and picked up the box from the floor.  

Upon opening the meticulously sealed box, I found ample cushioning inside, ensuring the item was not damaged.  

The magnifying glass inside looked as ordinary as its description suggested.  

‘Does this really analyze all objects accurately?’  

I found it hard to believe, but testing it would quickly confirm its functionality.  

I held up the magnifying glass and pointed it at the table.  

Letters appeared on the magnifying glass lens.  

[Table crafted by a master artisan]  

Mahogany hardwood – 100%  

‘Oh…!’  

The performance was unquestionable.  

I quickly pulled out a flute from my pocket.  

I placed the black flute on the table and held the magnifying glass over it, revealing different letters than before.  

[Sturdy Poison Flute]  

Bone of Mad Dragon – 99%  

Komonil – 1%  

The bone of a Mad Dragon!  

It wasn’t entirely unexpected, so I wasn’t too shocked to see the name.  

‘I’ve been suspecting a connection between Duke Kreutz and the Mad Dragon.’  

However, this information was enough to turn suspicion into certainty.  

What truly surprised me was the 1% of Komonil in its composition.  

A plant used as a powerful painkiller.  

‘That’s why Eugene said using this made the pain disappear.’  

I stared at the flute, now solemn.  

Komonil is highly addictive and isn’t recommended unless there are no alternatives.  

It is particularly forbidden for children like Eugene.  

Studies showed that improper use could lead to idiocy or even death.  

If Duke Kreutz gave this to his own son…  

‘What a terrible person!’  

He had abandoned his child just because he was an illegitimate son, only to call him back and do this.  

Performing strange rituals and giving him a dangerous flute.  

I was left speechless by the grim analysis.  

Eugene’s smiling face, handing me the flute, flashed in my mind.  

He had no idea how dangerous this item was.  

‘I need to ask Eugene about its origin immediately.’  

Then, I’ll relay the information about the flute to Axel.  

I put the flute back in my pocket and handed the magnifying glass to Oink.

“Oink, can you eat this too?”  

Given that the text in the ‘Quest Log’ was visible only to me, I figured the appraisal details from this magnifying glass might also be visible only to me.  

Still, I felt a bit uneasy just leaving it around carelessly.  

Fortunately, Oink let out a “Squeak!” and swiftly swallowed the magnifying glass.  

“Wow, you can really eat anything, huh?”  

I patted Oink’s rump in admiration.  

‘It looks like I can store important items in Oink’s belly from now on.’  

Oh, how clever you are!  

As I showered him with affection, the pink piglet wagged his tail excitedly, twirling it like a propeller.  

* * *  

I entered the Ivory Tower as quietly as possible, not wanting to disturb the students who were diligently studying.  

Lectures were in full swing in each classroom.  

However, the classrooms for students under the age of ten had shorter lecture times, so they were already empty.  

Eugene, being of a quiet nature, had a very limited range of activities.  

Since the lectures had ended, I figured he would likely be in his dormitory.  

Without hesitation, I headed in that direction.  

The Ivory Tower was divided into two main areas: the scholars’ research wing and the dormitories.  

The classrooms were part of the research wing.  

The two areas were connected by a corridor that overlooked a large and beautiful garden.  

As soon as I entered the corridor, I spotted a familiar face.  

Eugene was sitting against a large tree in the garden, staring intently at a notebook.  

His expression was very serious.  

I quietly approached Eugene, trying not to make any noise that would disturb him.  

Even when I got quite close, Eugene was so absorbed in his notebook that he didn’t notice my presence at all.  

I squatted down beside him, waiting for him to notice me first.  

But even after a while, Eugene remained oblivious to my presence.  

‘He must be really focused.’  

What could he be looking at so intently?  

Curious, I leaned in to get a peek at the notebook.  

“!”  

It was only then that Eugene realized I was next to him. He was so startled that his shoulders jerked.  

In the process, the notebook he was holding slipped out of his hands and fell to the ground.  

“Oh no…!”  

I quickly picked up the notebook and brushed it off.  

Luckily, the entire garden floor was covered in grass, so it didn’t get dirty.  

I confidently held out the notebook to him.  

“Here you go!”  

“How….”  

Eugene blinked as he took the notebook, looking bewildered.  

“How are you here?”  

“Huh? Am I not supposed to be here?”  

“No, that’s not it…!”  

When I tilted my head in confusion, Eugene quickly waved his hands.  

“Everyone was saying that the Saintess wouldn’t come to the Ivory Tower anymore.”  

It was true that I hadn’t been to the Ivory Tower in a while.  

‘After all, I had already accomplished many of the goals I had when I enrolled here.’  

There wasn’t much reason for me to visit anymore.

Of course, I hadn’t officially declared, “I’m not going to the Ivory Tower anymore!”… but unless something special came up, I didn’t plan to attend classes as I used to.

‘It’s not like I understand anything they’re talking about anyway.’

I’d take the exams just to maintain my status at the Ivory Tower, but that was about it.

Seeing Eugene hesitate, his lips slightly parted as if he had something to say, I asked him, “Were you waiting for me to come out?”

“W-waiting? N-no!”

“You weren’t waiting?”

“N-no!”

“?”

I tilted my head in confusion.

“So you weren’t waiting, but you weren’t not waiting either? Then what is it?”

“Well… I was waiting… but…” Eugene lowered his head, speaking cautiously. “I was worried you might not like it…”

“Not like what? You waiting for me?”

Eugene gave a small nod instead of answering.

“I thought it would definitely annoy you if I waited…”

His voice was so quiet it seemed like he wanted to sink into the ground. Since his gaze was still fixed on the floor, I couldn’t see his expression, but I was sure it wasn’t a happy one.

As I remained silent, Eugene continued speaking.

“I’m sorry… for waiting.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for when it comes to waiting,” I said, gently patting Eugene’s dark hair.

Startled, Eugene looked up at me. I smiled brightly to reassure him, showing that I wasn’t upset at all.

“I actually like it! I like when someone waits for me.”

“…”

“Really!”

Despite my firm reassurance, Eugene didn’t seem to believe it easily. His reaction made it clear how the Duke of Kreutz must have treated this child. I swallowed a sigh and took out a flute from my pocket.

“Eugene, where did you get this?”

“My father gave it to me. He said seeing me in pain made him feel sad.”

‘Hmph. Someone who’s truly sad wouldn’t give a Komonil flute, would they?’

It was ridiculous. Frowning slightly, I continued to ask, “Do you want to go back to your father?”