Reincarnated as a Genius Mage-Chapter 55: Slice of Life

Finally, after bathing, and putting on a light, casual dress— I’ve eaten.

I feel really full.

Jennette isn’t wrong. I’ve grown about five inches taller. My muscles are becoming harder. My mana pathway has expanded, and what else? Oh, that’s right. My hair— I didn’t cut it for the past one year. I was too focused on the grind. Everything else was just a distraction to me. That’s why I went from E rank to C rank in just a year, when it takes the average mercenary about five years. It was hectic, but worth it.

And now, I’m seated on the wooden floorboard of the living room— my back facing against Jennette who’s sitting on the soft couch behind me— her fingers working on my hair. I think she’s twisting it.

I’ve never revealed it, but I kind of like this new, long hair of mine. It’s Jet-black, flowy, and cascades down to my shoulder.

I never had the chance to keep a hair as long as this in my past life. I had to be ’prim and proper.’ You know, the usual ’Rich person’ look. Always wearing suits, and the only haircut I always had was a buzz cut. Thinking about it just makes me annoyed.

Now that I take another look at this reincarnation thing. On the bright side— probably the only perk— I can freely style myself however I want. Whatever fashion style I want. No more ’rich person’ suit and a ’I’m a CEO’ buzz cut. But the irony? The fashion in this world.. it’s pretty much non-existent.

A soft sigh breaks out of my mouth

"Stop shaking your head. I’m trying to concentrate." Jennette says— breaking my trail of thoughts.

And I stiffen my neck, "what are you even doing with my hair?" I ask.

"Don’t worry, you’ll see." She replies with a low giggle.

Hmm, her voice sounds too mischievous.

"So, what are your plans?" She asks, trying to distract me from whatever she’s doing with my hair.

"What plans exactly?" I reply.

"You know. Your future plans, as a mercenary? And you did say you wanted to start a business. What did you say it was again? Um... Prefume?"

A low laugh escapes my lips, and then I pause the laughter, "It’s perfume, Jennette. Per. Fume. Not Prefume."

"Uh huh, that. Prefume. What about it?" She asks. And as she continues what she’s doing with my hair, her fingers scratch a spot on my scalp that’s been itching for a while.

Uh, that felt good.

"The business.. I’ll start it when I gather enough capital from my tasks." I reply.

"Hmmm, you’re still doing only tasks? No commission?"

And I go silent for a while, "no.. no commissions. I don’t want to be of help to any of those nobles."

She chuckles softly, "You’re beginning to speak like a commoner, Ed. You forget that you are of one of the purest noble bloods— Flameworth." She clears her throat, and continue, "or is it because of that criminal you killed last year? What was his name again.. hmm,"

"Raiden." I speak.

"..." ... "Anyway. I think commissions are a faster way to make money to start the business you have in mind. But if you don’t want to, then it’s fine." She speaks.

"Jennette." I call.

"Mn?"

"I’m gonna join the Orcan War. That’ll be the only commission I’ll take. And it’s an open commission." I voice out.

"Hm? The Orcan War? I never even joined that during my days as a Mercenary. It’s too dangerous, Ed. And besides, you aren’t even.."

"I’m gonna get my B-rank License soon." I speak curtly.

"Huh? How do you know that?"

"I just have the feeling."

She scoffs, "right, right, sure. That means you’ll be going with the five S-rank mercenaries? Because I’m pretty sure they’re returning to the war soon too." She asks.

"Yeah, that’s what the mercs at the guild say. But I don’t care about them. All I care about is getting my B rank license and getting eligibility to join the Orcan War. That’s part of the reason I’ve been working so hard to rank up." I reply. "And once I join the war. I’ll be able to get a lot of rewards and at least gather some merits there so I can get enough capital to start the business."

She doesn’t reply for a while.

Why is she quiet?

"Charles.. it’s dangerous." Her voice drops low.

And I raise my right hand, and place my palm on her fingers working on my hair. "I’ll be fine, Jennette. Didn’t I promise you? I told you I won’t die. Don’t be scared." I speak softly.

"Alright! All done!" She suddenly exclaims, breaking the slight tension. And her hands are free from my hair.

And I stand up, my knees cracking as I stand. "Finally."

She chuckles softly, "go take a look at yourself in the mirror. I’m sure you’ll like it."

I nod, "alright." And I walk toward the mirror at the end of the living room— hanging on the wall. "I always forget you brought this here."

"You better remember! Don’t mistakenly break it." She replies, and I chuckle, and face the mirror.

"Wow." I exclaim. My red gaze lands on the reflection of my hair.

My Jet black hair is.. partly braided, and partly let loose. Forming an intricate style of braided lines, and unbraided lines.

It’s simply beautiful.

And my gaze descends— glancing at my other features on the mirror.

My fiery red eyes never fail to remind me of my blood as a Flameworth. And my chin is getting sharper— my face slowly shedding the youthful flair it once carried. It’s now chiselling slowly into a young adult’s. It’s scary, this growth speed.

And then a warm smile plays on my lips as I touch my hair. And I turn my neck to fix my gaze on Jennette who’s sitting on the couch with her arms holding her chin— and her bright sunshine smile tugging on her lips.

"Thank you, Jennette."

"Ahem! You’re welcome. I told you you’d like it." She speaks softly.

"Mm hm, and you were right. It’s beautiful." I reply.

And then I head toward the small wooden table where I dropped my mask, robe and bag. About to take them.

"About to go play ’Mercenary Blank’ again?" She asks as my hand rests on the door handle.

"..." I offer no response.

"Come inside and rest. It’s evening already. Take this night off from tasks, and have a good night’s rest. Even you should have some sort of ’vacation’ once in a while."

Hmmmm. Yeah, she’s right. I have been a bit too hard on myself for a while.. when was the last time I slept at night? I don’t even remember. I think it’s been about a month or two ago. I just train all day, and grind tasks all night these days.

"Yeah, you’re right. I should rest. Just for today." And I drop my mask, robe and bag back on the table, and head toward where Jennette is.

And she nods, "that’s better."

And we laugh, talk, and converse like we haven’t been able to all this while.

I didn’t even know what she’d been up to all this while I’ve been grinding. She’s basically a stay at home mom now. Pfft.

And then, as the sun fades into the warm glow of the moonlight— we head to our separate rooms. To sleep.

Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce