Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

Being asked to become someone’s reason for living was overwhelming, and I couldn’t help but be taken aback. Even if I accepted, I didn’t have the ability to fulfill such a request.

Realizing my lukewarm reaction, the chairman hastily began to explain.

“I don’t want to burden you, Mira. It’s purely for my own satisfaction, and it’s a personal reason why I want you. Even if you don’t accept, I swear by all my names that there will be no disadvantages to you. And I’m not asking you to become my real son. That would be too greedy of me. I just want to take care of you more than I do now, hold you more, and occasionally, very occasionally, receive a very small reward in return.”

“You should calm down first. I understand your intentions.”

“Oh, do you? Thank you.”

A sigh of relief escaped from her mouth, which had been spewing out excuses like a machine gun. The grip on my hand loosened slightly.

“I understand your intention, but I don’t understand your purpose. What do you gain by doing so much for me?”

“Didn’t I say it? A reason to live. Or, in other words, a driving force to keep living.”

The fingers, tightly intertwined at the knuckles, caressed the back of my hand.

“Just as a parent’s love needs no reason, I want to support you from behind without any reason, watch how far you can grow, share your sorrows when you’re sad, and rejoice with you when you’re happy. I want to be that kind of relationship with you. If you don’t keep me tethered to this world in that way… I really don’t think I’ll have any reason to live.”

“… …”

In other words, she wanted to see me as a son-like figure.

She had already said that she wasn’t trying to replace her daughter, so it seemed that she simply needed someone to care for. Perhaps, in the process, she had discovered a maternal love that had been dormant within her.

Now, she was floundering without an outlet for that love.

“Isn’t what you just said enough? If there’s anything else you want from me, feel free to ask. I’ll do whatever I can within reason.”

“It’s not that it’s not enough. It’s almost the opposite. I was worried about whether I should accept it or not. Even as a joke, I do not exactly have a pleasant personality, and it would be difficult for me to be cute or affectionate, even as a joke. And I already have a real mother, so it would be hard to call you mother as well.”

In fact, I already had two mothers: the one who gave birth to me in the real world and the one who gave birth to Mira Crate in this world. Adding the chairman to that mix would truly make for a bizarre family tree.

“You don’t have to. All I want is to take care of you, Mira. I just want to watch you grow within my embrace.”

“If you need someone to take care of, why not Leona or Aria?”

Leona was a hero, so that made sense, but I was surprised to say Aria’s name. Perhaps it was because of the guilt I felt for taking away everything that Aria should have had in the original work.

“They will surely grow up to be good children, but I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t think I’ll be as satisfied taking care of them as I would taking care of you.”

The chairman said bluntly. I wasn’t sure what the difference was, but I took it to mean that they wouldn’t be enough to satisfy her unusual desires.

“I understand. I’ll do as you wish.”

It was a transaction where I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. She wasn’t treating me as a replacement for her daughter or asking for anything strange; she just wanted to help.

Even if I considered it as saving a dragon’s life, it was still a good deal. When the chairman explained earlier, her face conveyed that she would give up on life if I refused, so I couldn’t ignore that.

“Are you serious?!”

The chairman’s expression brightened.

“Thank you, my child…! Thank you so much!”

With overwhelming gratitude, her long arms wrapped around me.

For some reason, I was familiar with this position, so despite the warm milk scent invading my nostrils and the comforting sensation of her soft chest embracing my head, I remained still.

“…!!!!!!”

As I didn’t know where to put my arms, I placed them on her back, and the chairman trembled as if she had been struck by lightning. The strength in her arms increased even more. If she had hugged a normal person, their spine would have surely snapped.

To be honest, I thought it cracked at one point.

“I’m sorry, child! It’s been so long, I got carried away…! Are you feeling unwell anywhere?!”

And so, we remained in that position for a whopping three hours. As a result, my face, which had been pressed between his breasts, was freed, but the parts that had been pressed remained bright red.

“No, I’m fine. Except for the fact that it was hard to breathe in between.”

“Ahhh…! I’m so sorry! How can I make it up to you…!”

The chairman made several apologies, her face filled with remorse as she looked at my flushed face.

“Then, may I make one request instead?”

“Not just one, make it a thousand or ten thousand. I’ll grant whatever I can.”

“I’d like to enroll one more student here. It’s a student without family, but I can guarantee their ability, background, and status.”

It was a perfect opportunity to bring up Elysier’s situation. With the chairman’s reaction, the enrollment process would likely be much smoother.

“Of course, it’s possible, but… it’s a bit coincidental.”

“Coincidental?”

“I was just about to enroll one more student.”

.

.

.

‘Now that I think about it, there was one more person.’

“I am Karna.”

“I’m Ciel.”

Seeing the two standing side by side, each giving off completely opposite first impressions, I had such thoughts. Having lived as a demon king for nearly 500 years, I knew that a high-handed manner had become second nature, but I newly realized that it must be tough to get along with others.

‘They even ended up wearing school uniforms after all.’

Both Karna and Elysier, who had adopted the name Ciel, were wearing school uniforms. While it made sense for Elysier as the demon king, it was surprising that Karna, who would soon be turning 30, didn’t look out of place at all.

It was likely a subconscious reflection of Laura’s desires.

“I will do my best from now on. Please take care of me!”

Karna, with her hands clasped in front of her lower abdomen, bowed deeply and greeted. Applause resounded. Perhaps because she was a disciple of the Sword Saint, most faces looked friendly, with only a few showing reluctance.

“There will be people who have a negative opinion about me.”

In contrast, Elysier was indifferent.

“Those guys should come to the training ground. I plan to stay there after lectures every day for a week. No need for long words; I will prove myself with my skills.”

Elysier’s blunt challenge made the students’ eyes burn with competitive spirit. Even those who had been looking at her somewhat favorably changed their attitude.

Although it was a pre-agreed matter, considering it was better to let them confirm it directly rather than letting dissatisfaction fester, it seemed clear that academy life would become quite exhausting.

At least it was fortunate that her true identity was not revealed. While her height and body shape were left as they were, her faces, hair color, and eye color were altered, which was enough to change their impressions significantly.

Even the director hadn’t realized that Elysier was the demon king.

“Are you really the first disciple of the Sword Saint? That’s amazing!”

“Nice to meet you! I’m…”

During the break, Karna was surrounded by students. Since the Sword Saint was a famous figure in the empire, it was natural for Karna, a direct disciple, to attract attention. Additionally, since Elysier had an obvious ‘try talking to me if you dare’ aura, it drew more students towards Karna.

“You’ve become a celebrity overnight.”

“It’s strange not to get attention as the direct disciple of the Sword Saint…”

At that point, I noticed something strange. The presence felt was extremely small. As far as I knew, there were no students at Bellium Academy who could suppress their presence to such an extent.

“Who is it?”

“Your senses have sharpened. It’s me. How have you been, child?”

The voice was completely different from what I knew, but only one person would address me in such a manner.

“Are you here because you’re worried about your disciple?”

I turned my head, and as expected, a female student with minimal presence and barely detectable aura was waving and smiling at me.

“It’s not so much worry as curiosity. Why would I worry about that child when she’s no longer a murderer?”

“Then why are you disguised?”

“Because my presence would be a burden to her. So, I borrowed one of the crude items Valéra made and had left over. The real one was given to that child, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

The Sword Saint narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Elysier. I couldn’t help but feel a little tense, even though the Necklace of Transformation, a custom-ordered item, was doing its job.

The current Elysier was too weak to be considered the Demon King, so the Sword Saint was likely praising her.

“She’s an extremely talented child. With a little more polishing here, she’ll become a fine jewel. You’ve vouched for her identity and background, right? Cherish this precious connection.”

However, my tension was unfounded as the Sword Saint smiled and praised Elysier.

“And, this is something I’ll tell only the child, so listen carefully.”

His voice lowered.

“For the past few days, simultaneous reports have come in from the front lines about strange behavior among the demons.”

“Strange behavior? What do you mean?”

“This is just a guess, but…”

The Sword Saint paused for a moment.

“It seems there’s a civil war going on.”