Chương 75: Spar

Ch 75 - Spar Chairman Choi took another sip of his tea. Beside him, Young-il maintained a neutral expression. Reid almost wanted to laugh at the sheer absurdity of the situation. Never in his long life had he imagined finding himself in circumstances like this, least of all at his age. The idea of someone trying to arrange a match for him had never even crossed his mind. As Reuel, he had never given marriage much thought. As Reid, his priority had always been raising his younger brother.

And now, Chairman Choi, technically his grandfather by blood yet decades younger than Reid truly was, was trying to play matchmaker. The whole thing was so ridiculous that Reid could almost hear his late brothers and sisters laughing if they had been there to witness it.

"I know what you're going to say," Chairman Choi continued.

"But I'm not here to force you into an arranged marriage." Reid raised an eyebrow.

"To clarify, my sole intention is to introduce you to each other. If that introduction should lead to something more, I would consider it a welcome outcome. Moreover, I believe you would make a very suitable match."

"How so?" Reid asked.

"Miss Sofia has suffered from poor health for many years," Young-il replied.

"There was even a time when she fell into a coma. Though her condition has stabilized in recent years, her health remains rather fragile."

"Given that you are a Healer, I am certain her mother would find considerable reassurance in the prospect of you becoming a couple," Chairman Choi added. It wasn't that Reid failed to understand their reasoning. In their eyes, they were simply introducing two young people who might get along. The problem was that Reid was, in truth, an old man with no desire to pursue a romantic relationship, especially not with a young woman decades younger than himself. He knew better than to voice those objections, though.

Meeting Sofia was the price he had agreed to pay for receiving the piece of Mithril.

"Alright," Reid said.

"I'm pleased that you agreed so readily. The gala will be held on December 29. As we still have several days until then, you are more than welcome to remain at the estate and make yourself comfortable." The conversation went on, eventually turning to the Choi Group's businesses. As Young-il and Chairman Choi discussed company affairs, Reid found himself imagining what it would be like if Evan were here.

He could already picture his brother fidgeting in his seat, barely resisting the urge to pull out his phone and escape. A faint smile flickered across Reid's lips, but he quickly schooled his expression and listened quietly. When the discussion came to an end, he left the office alongside Young-il. Studying the man's features, Reid could see the resemblance between Young-il and his father. The two truly were brothers.

Unlike his father, whose face had been much gentler, Young-il's was sharper, taking after Chairman Choi. Faint lines creased his brow, no doubt from years of furrowing it.

"We didn't have much opportunity to speak earlier, so I'd like to say again that I'm truly glad to see you doing well, Reid," Young-il said.

"Father feels the same. He's always been concerned about you and Evan, especially after my brother's passing. He was both shocked and displeased when he heard about the stunts you two pulled recently. That aside, I would also like to congratulate you on awakening as an A-rank Healer. Hyo-ri told me that the two of you fought together."

"Yes. She's a very capable fighter and protected me during the Double Dungeon," Reid replied. The compliment brought a brief smile to Young-il's face.

"Right. I heard from my daughter just how dangerous that Double Dungeon was. Even as a Healer, you must have faced considerable risks despite not fighting on the front lines. So, allow me to speak frankly. What are your intentions regarding the Choi family? Do you intend to become an active member of the family, or would you rather keep Father at arm's length?" Ah, so this was his real concern. Was Young-il worried that Reid had come to wrest control of the Choi Group away from him?

As the eldest son of Chairman Choi's firstborn, Reid had a legitimate claim by blood if his grandfather ever chose to support him. For Young-il, the second son, that possibility was understandably unsettling.

"I'm only here to repay my debt for that piece of Mithril," Reid said. Young-il studied him.

"Then let me tell you something else. You may have already realized this, but if you were to become involved with the Mayer family's daughter, it would further strengthen the ties between our two families. Even if you never take an active role in the Choi Group, you are still an Awakener and Father's grandson. That alone carries considerable influence. In fact, it may be even more advantageous for you to remain outside the business. I'm sure you're familiar with the SPSA." Reid nodded.

He knew of the Strategic Power Separation Act, or SPSA, which prevented active S-rank Awakeners from holding controlling positions in strategically important corporations. The law had long been a point of contention between the government and the Awakener community.

"Though the law specifically targets S-rank Awakeners, that does not mean other powerful Awakeners are beyond scrutiny. Even now, the government remains wary of Awakeners becoming too deeply involved in the business world," Young-il continued.

"Unfortunately, power and wealth have a tendency to converge. As an A-rank Awakener, and a Healer at that, you are an invaluable asset not only to the government and the guilds, but to our family as well. For that reason, I would rather avoid any unnecessary conflict between us, Reid. I would much prefer that we maintain a cordial relationship." He adjusted his glasses.

"I won't pressure you as Father does. If you ever require my assistance, you need only reach out. In return, I would simply ask that you leave the Choi Group's affairs in my hands. I've spent decades helping Father build and manage this company, and I can assure you that overseeing an organization of this scale requires one's full attention. I doubt you'll have either the time or the inclination to shoulder such a responsibility once you begin your career as a full-time Awakener."

"There's no need to worry, Uncle," Reid replied.

"Like I said, I'm only here because Chairman Choi asked me to come."

"I'm glad to hear that," Young-il said before excusing himself. Reid let his gaze linger on the corridor where the man had disappeared. Having dealt with nobles in his previous life, he had seen his fair share of conversations like this. Even so, it was unusual to find himself being treated as a potential rival heir to the Choi family. Politics, regardless of the world, rarely changed. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

It was for the best that Evan hadn't come with him. His brother was far better off spending the day with people his own age than being dragged into discussions like these. Gazing out the window, Reid wondered what his brother was up to. Knowing Evan, he was likely having the time of his life with his friends.

I'm in hell… Having never been on a boat, Evan discovered yet another thing he hated. The constant rocking left his head spinning, and nausea soon churned in his stomach. Cold sweat broke across his forehead as he swallowed hard, fighting the urge to throw up.

"Oh geez. We already gave you seasickness pills, so why do you still look so pathetic?" Carmen asked as Evan lay limply across the sofa.

"Maybe we should've taken a helicopter instead of the yacht after all," Hiroto muttered. Evan responded with nothing more than an unintelligible groan as he focused all his energy on keeping the contents of his stomach where they belonged. He considered using the healing ability from his bracelet, but that felt excessive, not to mention embarrassingly pathetic. Instead, he resigned himself to lying there like a dead fish for the rest of the voyage. By the time they arrived, Hiroto had to drag Evan off the ship.

The island was littered with rows of luxurious guest villas, while the main estate stood atop a distant hill overlooking the entire property. A luxury car was waiting nearby to take Evan and Hiroto to their villa. Carmen, meanwhile, headed for the main estate. Apparently, this ridiculously extravagant island belonged to her family. When he reached his assigned room, conveniently located just a few doors from Hiroto's, he threw himself onto the bed, only to regret it instantly when nausea twisted his gut.

Groaning into the pillow, he gripped the sheets and fought to keep himself from ruining them. He vaguely heard Hiroto speaking with the butler about moving the luggage inside, but exhaustion won out, and sleep soon claimed him. When Evan woke, the queasiness had passed, and the room was empty. Rubbing his eyes, he picked up his phone and found a message from Hiroto. [Evan, you seemed really tired, so I let you rest. If you need anything, just call the butler. He'll take care of it. I'm heading to the beach club. Mother said I should interact more with people my age.] Reading the message, Evan could already picture Hiroto's miserable expression. Becoming an S-rank meant no one dared bully or look down on him anymore, but that didn't erase the years he'd spent being ignored and treated like garbage. Now Hiroto was being asked to play nice with the same group of people who had either ignored him or treated him poorly because of his previous rank.

Evan considered going to the beach club as moral support, but decided against it. Hiroto was a big boy. He could survive a few hours on his own, while Evan still needed time to recover from that nightmare of a boat ride. After lazing around for another hour, his hunger convinced him to get up. Following Hiroto's suggestion, he found the butler, who asked the villa's private chef to prepare a meal. By now, Evan had been exposed to so much ridiculous luxury that he barely reacted to it anymore.

Had he been corrupted by all this wealth and opulence? Would he eventually become the very thing he had once criticized so readily? He didn't have the energy to dwell on such philosophical questions, though. His empty belly took priority. He carried his food out to the terrace and ate while enjoying the gorgeous view of the sea. The paths below were bustling with guests, most of them teenagers and young adults laughing and enjoying themselves.

Amid the cheerful faces, however, one familiar figure with a sour expression caught his eye. Reika. She was walking alone toward one of the training halls. Curiosity got the better of him. Finishing the last of his grilled sea bass, Evan headed after her. Call him nosy, but since they'd be stuck on the same island for quite a while, he figured it would be good to see how she was holding up mentally. Peeking through the open doorway, Evan found Reika pummeling a training dummy.

Every punch slammed into it with enough force to rattle the frame. He gave a thumbs-up to whoever had made the thing. If it were any less sturdy, it would already be in pieces.

"Is spying on people your favorite hobby?" Reika asked, glaring at him. Putting his hands behind his head, he casually strolled inside.

"I saw you heading here and figured I'd at least say hi."

"Well, you've said it. Now leave." She turned away from him and settled into her stance.

"You look like you need to blow off some steam. How about a spar?" She paused and looked over her shoulder.

"Are you serious?" Evan shrugged.

"Why not? Pure hand-to-hand. No mana or abilities. I think you'll find I'm not such an easy opponent." Reika gave him an icy look. Evan smirked.

"Scared?"

"Your attempt to provoke me won't work, Whitfield." She stepped into the center of the room and beckoned him forward with two fingers.

"But if you're looking for a beating, I'm happy to oblige."

"We'll see about that." They took their fighting stances, then sprang forward. Evan dodged Reika's opening jab and answered with a straight punch.

"I don't get it. What's your problem with Hiroto?"

"None of your business." Reika pressed forward, forcing Evan to give ground.

"It is my business." He evaded another blow and landed a hit to her midsection.

"Hiroto's my friend. Do you know how miserable he looks every time you ignore him? He's like a soaked puppy."

"Then go comfort him."

"No." Evan sidestepped her next attack.

"How about you stop acting like a brat and start acting like an actual sister?" Reika's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not a brat!"

"You certainly are. What else do you call someone who refuses to talk things out and just lashes out at everyone?"

"You don't know anything!" Reika launched a roundhouse toward his head. Evan ducked beneath it and struck her side with his palm.

"See?" he said.

"Spoken like a true brat.

'You don't know anything.' That's all you've got."

"Shut up!"

"I've heard what happened between you two, and honestly, I still can't understand it. Why are you so hostile toward Hiroto? Because he used to be F-rank? Because he was weak? Because he couldn't protect you? He was just a kid back then. What exactly was he supposed to do while he was under that madman's control?" Reika's expression twisted with frustration as she charged again. Her punches came in a furious flurry, each one thrown with greater force than before.

"Do you know how lucky you are?" he continued, slipping past another attack.

"And I'm not talking about the money or your family. Good lord, I know your parents have plenty of issues. At least Hiroto still gives a damn about you!" She swung, finally clipping his shoulder. Evan immediately knocked her arm aside.

"So stop acting like a spoiled brat and start appreciating him!" Evan snapped.

"He threw himself toward certain death to save you, and you're still acting like you're the victim? You're the one who's spent years kicking him down!"

"Stop talking!"

"I won't!" Reika let out a frustrated scream and lunged. Evan pivoted aside, hooked her ankle, and redirected her momentum. She hit the mat with a heavy thud, then pushed herself up onto her elbows, breathing hard. Evan looked down at her.

"As another younger sibling, I don't understand you. You should be grateful your brother still cares about you. Hell, you should consider yourself lucky to have someone who refuses to give up on you. So grow up." With those parting words, Evan turned his back on her and walked out of the training hall, leaving Reika alone to stew in the silence.