Chiori had a katana in her hand. She moved fast and rushed straight at Rei.
"Hey! Chiori—attacking a Garde in public is a serious crime!" Rei shouted as he pulled out his baton.
Chiori didn't stop. Her blade aimed low, straight at his lower body.
If it hit, he would be in real trouble.
Rei shifted to the side at once. He raised the baton and swung at her.
Chiori reacted instantly. She brought her katana up to block.
Clang.
The удар rang out loud. She stopped the strike, but the force made her step back.
Before she could fix her footing, Rei was already on her again.
Chiori lifted her blade in a hurry and barely blocked.
This time her arm went numb from the impact.
Rei didn't slow down.
Hit after hit, he kept pressing her.
Chiori's grip started to shake. Her arm felt heavier and more numb each second.
Then Rei landed one more hard strike.
Chiori's katana slipped from her hand.
It fell to the ground.
She opened her mouth—about to say she gave up—but Rei moved first. He stepped in, grabbed her wrists, and pinned her down.
For a second, he realized how close they were.
He caught the scent of her perfume.
Rei pulled back quickly and let go, his voice firm. "You were being reckless. I had to stop you."
"Let go," Chiori snapped. Then her eyes flicked to his baton. "Your baton…"
Rei's face heated up. He released her fully and stood fast, trying to look normal.
Chiori got up too. She smoothed her clothes, which had become slightly messy, and walked into the shop without looking at him.
But when she turned away, her cheeks were faintly red.
Rei put his baton away and followed her inside.
Chioriya Boutique was quiet and clean. Clothes hung neatly on racks. The lights were warm and soft, like nothing bad had just happened.
Rei sat down on a sofa, acting relaxed.
"Tea or coffee?" Chiori asked, cold as ever.
Rei was used to that tone. "Tea. If I drink coffee again, I won't sleep."
Chiori didn't reply. She took a small pinch of leaves from a special tea box, brewed it carefully, and placed the cup on the table in front of him.
A light tea scent filled the room.
She sat across from him, calm and controlled. "Since you became Vice Captain, you've gotten stronger again."
Rei smiled. "I fight a lot. Of course I improve."
Chiori's mouth lifted slightly. "If you were really that good, you wouldn't have gotten beaten up by thugs two years ago."
Rei's smile faded.
Before Fontaine, he had been a college student in Japan. Then one day he woke up here with nothing—no money, no power, no friends. Because he was different, people targeted him.
He hated remembering that time.
It was the worst period of his life.
And right when things hit the bottom—after he lost another fight and felt completely done—a strange voice spoke inside his head.
That was the moment the System appeared.
Rei cleared his throat and changed the topic. "Chiori. What do you know about Olev?"
Chiori thought for a moment. "He's the oldest son of the Cappet family. Wild. Careless. The type who plays with people's feelings." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I also heard he might be tied to a murder case."
Then she looked straight at Rei. "Why? Are you planning to go after him? The Cappet family has power. Be careful."
Rei lifted the tea cup, took a sip, and set it down slowly.
"The one who died was the sister of someone on my team," he said. "So even if the killer is powerful, I'll still send him to the Fortress of Meropide."
Something tightened in Chiori's chest when she heard that.
She took a slow breath. "I'll help you gather information about Olev."
Chioriya Boutique served high-class customers. Many nobles came through. It was a good place to hear rumors and learn what the aristocrats were hiding.
Rei's face eased. "Thanks."
Then he hesitated, like he knew he was about to annoy her.
He held out his hand. "Also… lend me a little more money."
Chiori's expression turned icy in an instant. "So you can buy little cakes for your 'great and charming' Lady Furina again? I've never seen a man with so much nerve—using my money to impress another woman."
Rei only shrugged. "It's an investment. If I hadn't been blocking the wind and rain for you, those dirty competitors—and the nobles you've angered—would've sent you to the Fortress of Meropide a long time ago."
Chiori gave a cold snort. "Without you, I'd still have ways to handle those problems."
"You'd still pay Mora or owe favors," Rei said. "Better to give it to me. When I get a higher position, I'll pay you back—more than enough."
Chiori stared at him. "You're really shameless."
Even so, she turned, grabbed a coin pouch, and tossed it to him.
Rei caught it and stood up to leave.
Just before he stepped out, Chiori spoke again, quieter than before.
"Do you really have to climb higher?"
Rei stopped.
He was silent for a moment, like he was swallowing something heavy.
"I can't go back now," he said.
Then he left.
Outside Chioriya Boutique, Rei quickened his pace.
In his mind, text appeared.
System of Destiny
Host: Rei
Strength: Extraordinary (Mid-Tier)
Mission: Become the Grand Commander of Fontaine
Current Progress: Vice Captain of the Gardes
Reward: Extraordinary (Mid-Tier) Strength
Next Progress: Captain of the Gardes
Reward: Extraordinary (High-Tier) Strength
Note: If Rei gives up, he will return to being a normal person in Fontaine.
Rei read the last line and shook his head slightly.
Now that he had power… he didn't want to be normal ever again.
---------------
Reincarnated as a Burden in Resident — currently ongoing (still being released), current chapter: 50.
The Hero of Fontaine — currently ongoing (still being released), latest chapter: 50.
Crossover: Creating Familiars of the Multiverse — currently ongoing (still being released), latest chapter: 40.
Do these novels have R18 content—especially "Crossover: Creating Familiars of the Multiverse"? The others will first develop the romance with the girls.
https://www.patreon.com/c/Serenabunny