Looking Forward to Another World - Chapter 9

In his previous life, Riegel’s origins were in stark contrast to his current existence, representing two extremes of fortune.

Unlike the original protagonist, he wasn’t born into humble rural beginnings. Instead, he was the scion of a wealthy family, raised with a silver spoon in his mouth.

But Riegel wasn’t just a typical rich second-generation heir; he was a third-generation affluent. His grandfather, a self-made magnate who once held the title of the wealthiest man, built his empire from the ground up.

Over decades, he navigated the tides of the era, seizing opportunities and outmaneuvering countless rivals.

By all accounts, Riegel’s birth into such a family should have made him the envy of many.

Yet, fate played a cruel joke on him. You see, Riegel wasn’t the pampered second-generation heir. That title belonged to his father, a man spoiled by his birthright, who turned into the archetypal prodigal son often depicted in urban novels — ignorant, debauched, and abusing his wealth to bully and exploit others.

Riegel wasn’t the loving result of a happy marriage. He was the product of his father’s reckless lifestyle, a mistake forced into legitimacy by his grandmother’s strict orders, binding his parents in a reluctant marriage.
Growing up in such a household, Riegel’s upbringing was predictably neglectful.

From Riegel’s earliest memories, his father was an absent figure, barely returning home, living as if Riegel didn’t exist. His father’s life, before and after marriage, remained unchanged — devoid of any responsibility towards his son.

His mother was no better. She had schemed her way into the family, aiming for a life of luxury. Once her goal was achieved, she too indulged in extravagance, living a separate life from her husband, her scandals rumored to surpass even those of her spouse.

Thus, Riegel’s childhood was one of virtual orphanhood.

His grandfather, unlike his parents, didn’t completely ignore him. However, perhaps due to his disappointment in his own son, his approach to Riegel’s upbringing was exceedingly harsh. Riegel’s earliest memories are filled with lessons from textbooks, etiquette courses of high society, and financial tutorials — a strict and lonely education.

Thankfully, Riegel possessed an exceptional memory, almost prodigious, which allowed him to excel academically, much to his grandfather’s satisfaction.

But this gift also meant that Riegel remembered every painful detail of his life vividly — the kidnapping at six, the car accident at twelve where the driver tried to finish him off, the barely concealed assassination attempts at his coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen.

Such experiences, befitting a melodrama or a novel, plagued Riegel’s life with a reality he could scarcely believe.

Gradually, Riegel grew numb and accustomed to the threats against his life and the constant need to check his food for poison.

Even when his grandfather arranged a marriage for him with a woman vastly his senior in weight, Riegel offered no resistance.

It was then that Riegel began seeking thrills — rock climbing, parkour, bungee jumping, surfing, extreme off-roading, water skiing, inline skating, skydiving, and gliding. Anything that offered an adrenaline rush, he pursued, including surviving in the wilderness.

It was during these pursuits that Riegel stumbled upon the Dimensional Magic Cube, catapulting him into a world of swords and magic.

Reflecting on his life, Riegel felt a deep, seething anger.

“What have I truly gained in this life?” he questioned.

“What have I earnestly pursued?”

“Nothing at all!”

His past life was not of his choosing.

His present life did not reflect his desires.

Thus, his previous life, as he remembered it, was one of emptiness.

The rage within him was not directed at others, but at himself — at a life that seemed to have everything yet, in reality, had nothing.

“With such a past, it’s time to let go,” Riegel resolved.

Having left his original world and embarking on an extraordinary journey, he vowed, “This time, I will live for myself. I will chase what I truly desire. And if I can’t, I will never stop trying.”

The numbness of his past life ended there.

In this life, Riegel was determined to move forward, to reach out for his distant dreams.

As he made this vow, Riegel suddenly felt a change.

On his back, the fingers that had been tracing something unceasingly until just moments ago came to a sudden halt.

“…Can’t be, right?”

Loki’s voice, no longer distant, sounded astonished, almost muttering to herself.

Riegel shook off the haunting memories and asked with curiosity, “What’s going on?”

His question, however, was met with silence. Loki remained quiet, causing him to frown in confusion.

“Ha ha ha…!”

Suddenly, Loki burst into laughter, growing louder and more ecstatic with each chuckle.

When Riegel couldn’t resist turning to look at Loki, he found her standing up, dancing with wild glee.

“We’ve struck gold! We’ve struck gold!” Loki, the chief deity of one of Orario’s strongest families, the Loki Familia, appears to have gone completely mad with excitement, dancing and laughing uproariously.

“Last time it was Finn, now Riegel. Our luck has truly turned since descending to the mortal realm. To think, a simple stroll and I draw the winning lot! Take that, Freya! Let’s see how you compete with this, ha ha ha!”

Loki’s excitement was uncontainable, her raving was almost unsettling to Riegel, who stepped back, bewildered.

“What exactly happened?” He could only murmur in exasperation.

“Hee hee… Hee hee hee…”

After a while, Loki, seemingly done with her frenzy, approached Riegel with a mischievous grin.

As Riegel reflexively thought of clothing himself, Loki quickly stopped him, her face still alight with excitement. “Wait! I haven’t shown you your ability values yet!”

Loki produced a piece of parchment from nowhere, her narrow eyes opening wide with anticipation.

Inside those eyes, a divine purpose beyond Riegel’s understanding flowed.

“Take a good look at the blessing you’ve received, lad,” Loki said, barely concealing her amusement. “Don’t blink, okay?”

She placed the parchment on Riegel’s back, and with a flick of her finger, transferred the ability values from Riegel’s back onto the parchment.

Seizing the opportunity, Riegel turned to face a mirror in the corner of the divine chamber.

In the next second, he saw his back reflected in the mirror.

It was no longer bare; a mark resembling both a stele and a crest had appeared. It bore a striking resemblance to the flag of Loki Familia, featuring a jester’s likeness.

This was the divine favor Riegel had received, the symbol of his induction into Loki’s Familia, marking him as a child of the God of Mischief.

“All done!”

Loki finished her task, transferring the ability values from Riegel’s back to the parchment and handing it to him with a broad smile.
Riegel took the parchment, his gaze falling upon it.
…
Riegel Brehaut
Lv.1
Strength: I0
Endurance: I0
Dexterity: I0
Agility: I0
Magic Power: I0

〖——Magic——〗
(Almighty)
– Memory Magic.
– Activate specific magic based on memory.
– Magic strength is determined by (Magic Power).
– Effective only for validated magic.

〖——Skill——〗

(Fool’s Obsession)
– Transcendently boosts growth speed.
– Transcendently increases growth ceiling.
・The deeper the obsession, the stronger the effect.
・Effects are significantly amplified in dangerous situations.

(Endless)
・Acquires the highest rank in Development Ability (Healing Power).
・Acquires the highest rank in Development Ability (Spirit Healing).
・Acquires the highest rank in Development Ability (Abnormal Resistance).
・Levels up existing Development Abilities.

(Self Redemption)
・Immunity to physical interference.
・Immunity to mental interference.
・Ability to independently update Ability Values by consuming corresponding Divine Blood.
・Capable of accepting and enhancing beneficial effects targeted at oneself.
…

These are the details inscribed on the parchment, revealing the true nature of the abilities etched on Riegel’s back.

The sacred text, initially in incomprehensible clown imagery to mortals, had been transformed into a common language through Loki’s imprinting.
Riegel, while examining the parchment, murmured to himself, “A magic and three skills…?”

He had astonishingly awakened to a magic and three distinct skills.

“Happy, aren’t you, boy?” Loki patted Riegel’s shoulder, her smile growing increasingly unrestrained.

There was no helping it.

“Ordinary people might not awaken to a single magic or skill, yet you’ve awakened to four upon receiving this blessing.”

This was the reason for Loki’s immense joy.

She had indeed discovered a treasure.

A colossal treasure.