The Laziest God Mortal Reincarnation

( Alash Vortex’s POV )

I was late.

Not dramatically late.

Not ceremony already finished and everyone was searching for the missing eldest son late.

Just...

Late enough that the maid walking several steps ahead of me had developed the expression of someone reconsidering every decision that had led her to employment in House Vortex.

"Young Master, please."

"I’m walking."

"Perhaps... slightly faster?"

I looked at her.

She immediately straightened.

"Respectfully."

"Ah."

That made it acceptable.

I adjusted Dream Haven beneath my arm and continued down the corridor at exactly the same speed.

The maid glanced toward the enormous clock mounted near the staircase.

Then at me.

Then back at the clock.

Her anxiety increased visibly.

Interesting.

"Young Master, the guests have already assembled."

"I know."

"The officiant has arrived."

"I know."

"His Grace and Her Grace are already waiting."

"Also aware."

"Lady Elara is waiting."

That one made me move slightly faster.

Slightly.

The maid noticed.

Victory flashed across her face.

I immediately regretted encouraging her.

"Perhaps we could..."

"Don’t become greedy."

She closed her mouth.

Good.

There was a limit to how much physical exertion I was willing to tolerate before noon.

Especially after yesterday.

Returning home had been exhausting.

I had spoken to Penelope.

Met Marco again.

Rediscovered the existence of my sister.

Forgot said sister’s name.

Learned it again.

Gotten lost.

And somehow survived all of that without being allowed to sleep immediately afterward.

My body required recovery.

My mind required even more.

[You slept nine hours.]

’Exactly.’

[That is generally considered sufficient.]

’By people who lack ambition.’

[Your ambition is unconsciousness.]

’One should pursue one’s goals seriously.’

The System remained silent.

Probably because it had no counterargument.

"Young Master."

I looked ahead.

The maid had stopped before a pair of enormous double doors.

Ah.

We had arrived.

Voices came from beyond them.

Many voices.

Too many voices.

Nobles.

I sighed.

Why did every important event require gathering the maximum number of people inside one room?

A ceremony could easily function with five people.

Father.

Elara.

The officiant.

Someone to bring food.

Me.

Marco could come too.

Six.

Perfectly reasonable.

Instead, Father’s main hall currently contained what sounded like half the noble population of the kingdom.

The maid placed one hand against the door.

Then hesitated.

Her eyes moved toward my pillow.

I narrowed mine.

"No."

She blinked.

"Young Master?"

"Whatever you’re thinking, no."

"I wasn’t..."

"You looked at Dream Haven."

Her gaze immediately moved away.

"I was only wondering whether you intended to bring it inside."

I stared at her.

She slowly realized the stupidity of the question.

"Of course you do."

"Good."

She exhaled.

Then pushed the doors open.

Conversation washed over me.

The main hall was enormous.

I remembered that much.

Tall pillars stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, wrapped in white and silver decorations for Elara’s Awakening.

Blue banners bearing the Vortex crest hung between them.

Rows of nobles occupied nearly every seat.

Several important-looking people stood near the sides.

Servants moved quietly along the walls.

At the front of the hall rested the Orb of Truth.

Same pedestal.

Same strange internal light.

Same magical pressure.

And standing directly behind it were Father and my stepmother.

Exactly as they had been during my Awakening five years ago.

Father stood tall with his hands behind his back, dressed formally in dark blue and silver.

Even from across the hall, he looked tired.

Not weak.

Father never looked weak.

Just...

Like someone who had spent too many years sleeping less than any reasonable person should.

My stepmother stood beside him.

Perfect posture.

Dark dress.

Expression controlled.

Everything about her looked deliberate.

The position of her hands.

The angle of her shoulders.

Even the way she watched the hall.

Five years ago, the two of them had stood in the exact same place while I approached the Orb.

Interesting.

For a moment, the memory returned.

Ten years old.

Silver hair.

Half interested in the ceremony.

Mostly wondering how quickly I could return to bed afterward.

Then the Orb had announced SSS potential and destroyed my peaceful existence.

I looked toward it now.

Hopefully Elara’s experience would involve less screaming inside her skull.

That seemed like a reasonable standard.

I stepped inside.

The conversations nearest the entrance weakened.

Then stopped.

Then spread.

Heads turned.

More heads turned.

Wonderful.

Exactly what I wanted.

Attention.

I continued walking.

Comfortably.

The maid behind me made a tiny noise.

Probably because she wanted me to hurry.

Unfortunately, I had already arrived.

Therefore hurrying was no longer necessary.

Simple logic.

As I crossed the hall, whispers began.

"That’s Alash Vortex."

"He actually came?"

"He’s carrying it."

"That pillow?"

"So the rumors were true."

"I heard he carried it through a military camp."

"My cousin said he took it into meetings with officers."

"Is it an artifact?"

"It must be."

"I heard he refuses to let anyone touch it."

"Why would someone bring a pillow to an Awakening ceremony?"

Jealousy.

Clearly.

I glanced down at Dream Haven.

Soft.

Perfectly shaped.

Comfortable beyond mortal comprehension.

Beautiful.

Of course they were jealous.

Who wouldn’t be?

[Delusional.]

I nearly stopped walking.

’Excuse me?’

[They are confused.]

’Jealous.’

[Confused.]

’Envious.’

[Concerned.]

I frowned.

’You’re becoming unnecessarily negative.’

[I am becoming increasingly capable of recognizing reality.]

’Tragic development.’

I continued toward the front.

The whispers followed.

I could sense several powerful presences around the front rows.

My perception wasn’t responsible for that.

The System was.

Four men seated near the center carried enough mana that even without focusing, they stood out from nearly everyone else in the hall.

Ah.

The other Dukes.

All four.

Interesting.

I vaguely recognized some of them from five years ago.

One was enormous.

One looked old enough that standing probably required negotiation.

One had the severe expression of someone who disapproved of breathing too loudly.

The last was watching me with considerably more interest than I appreciated.

I looked away.

They could continue being important without my participation.

My destination was much more significant.

An empty seat beside Marco.

More specifically...

A chair.

A very comfortable-looking chair.

Excellent.

Marco noticed me approaching.

His expression remained calm.

His eyes, however, moved toward the clock.

Then toward me.

I knew that look.

Penelope had used it several times yesterday.

I sat down beside him.

"Good morning."

Marco stared.

"It’s almost noon."

"Still morning."

"Barely."

"But successfully."

His eyes moved toward Dream Haven.

Then back toward me.

"You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago."

"I am here now."

"The entire family was waiting."

I glanced toward the front.

Father’s eyes moved toward me from behind the Orb.

Only briefly.

His expression didn’t change.

My stepmother looked as well.

Her expression did.

Slightly.

Disapproval.

Expected.

Penelope sat a little farther down with her family.

She noticed me.

Her violet eyes narrowed.

Then immediately moved toward the clock.

Traitor.

Everyone was obsessed with time today.

"I don’t think they were waiting specifically for me."

Marco lowered his voice.

"Elara was."

Ah.

That was different.

I looked toward the entrance where she would soon appear.

"Then I arrived on time."

Marco stared at me.

"That’s not how being late works."

"The ceremony hasn’t started."

"You were still late."

"We have different philosophies."

He opened his mouth.

Then...

"Present the girl."

The officiant’s voice carried through the hall.

Marco immediately turned forward.

Excellent.

Saved by religious tradition.

Or magical tradition.

Whatever category Awakening ceremonies belonged to.

The doors near the front opened.

Elara entered.

Yesterday, she had looked like someone who had recently climbed a garden wall and would probably do it again if given enough time.

Today...

She looked different.

Her midnight-black hair had been carefully arranged behind her shoulders, the silver ribbon replaced by a more elaborate blue ornament matching House Vortex’s colors.

Her pale-blue ceremonial dress reached almost to the floor.

No dirt stains.

No rolled sleeves.

No evidence of wall inspection.

Impressive.

Someone had worked very hard.

Her posture was straight.

Her steps controlled.

Almost formal.

Almost.

Then her eyes moved toward the front row.

Toward Marco.

Then me.

She saw me.

Her shoulders relaxed.

Just a little.

I noticed.

Something warm settled quietly in my chest.

Interesting.

Then her eyes dropped toward Dream Haven.

She frowned.

I frowned back.

What?

I had promised to attend.

She never specified restrictions on pillows.

Her expression clearly said she would complain later.

Fine.

She could complain after Awakening.

Provided she respected proper sleeping hours.

Elara approached the Orb of Truth.

Father and my stepmother remained standing behind it.

Neither moved.

The sight felt strangely familiar.

Five years ago, I had walked toward that same Orb while both of them watched me from those exact positions.

Now Elara was doing the same.

The hall fell silent.

Completely silent.

Even the nobles discussing my pillow apparently possessed enough manners to stop now.

The officiant stood beside the pedestal.

"Elara Vortex."

His voice echoed through the hall.

"Today, before your family, the kingdom, and the witnesses gathered here, your potential shall be revealed."

Elara swallowed.

Barely noticeable.

But I saw it.

Yesterday returned to me.

What if I get something low?

Marco had told her she wouldn’t.

I had given a considerably more useful response.

If she got something low...

She got something low.

Simple.

Potential changed opportunities.

Training speed.

Future strength.

How people viewed you.

It did not transform Elara into someone else.

Unfortunately, convincing mortals of that appeared significantly more difficult than it should have been.

My gaze moved briefly toward my stepmother.

Her expression remained composed.

Too composed.

I remembered Elara’s words yesterday.

Mother would be disappointed.

Right.

That.

Father was harder to read.

His eyes remained on Elara.

Focused.

Calm.

Not judging.

At least not in the same way.

The officiant raised one hand.

"Place your hand upon the Orb."

Elara did.

Nothing happened for a second.

Then light exploded through the hall.

Blue.

Bright blue.

The Orb’s internal glow expanded, illuminating her face.

Mana stirred.

Several nobles leaned forward.

I remained seated.

Mostly because standing seemed unnecessary.

The light intensified.

Marco’s hands tightened against his knees.

Ah.

He was nervous.

Interesting.

My gaze shifted toward Father.

His eyes sharpened slightly.

My stepmother’s control finally cracked.

Expectation.

Tension.

Hope.

All fighting beneath the surface.

Then the light condensed.

Letters formed above the Orb.

Large.

Clear.

Impossible to misunderstand.

Potential: SS

The hall erupted.

Gasps.

Whispers.

Someone behind me actually said "another one" loudly enough that several people turned.

Marco froze.

Then slowly smiled.

Not the tiny almost-smile from yesterday.

A real one.

He looked genuinely happy.

My own lips rose slightly.

SS.

Same as Marco.

Excellent.

Behind the Orb, Father’s shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

My stepmother didn’t even bother hiding her satisfaction.

Her lips curved.

Pride.

Relief.

Probably both.

Before the whispers could settle, another line appeared.

Special Constitution: Agility

The reaction grew louder.

"Agility constitution..."

"House Vortex has another monster."

"Two SS children and one SSS?"

"Ridiculous."

"The Duke’s bloodline..."

I looked at Elara.

She hadn’t moved.

Her eyes were fixed on the words.

SS.

For several seconds, she simply stared.

Then her mouth slowly opened.

Her eyes widened.

She looked behind the Orb.

First toward Father.

Then toward her mother.

Father gave her a small nod.

Nothing dramatic.

Just one movement.

But Elara’s expression brightened immediately.

My stepmother smiled at her.

Actually smiled.

Not the thin controlled expression she usually wore around me.

Something warmer.

Then Elara turned.

Toward Marco.

Then...

Me.

I raised one thumb.

Her face immediately brightened again.

Good.

Simple communication.

Very efficient.

The officiant raised his hands.

"Elara Vortex has awakened SS potential with an Agility Constitution!"

Applause filled the hall.

Actual applause.

Loud.

Unnecessarily loud.

Elara stepped away from the Orb.

She looked slightly dazed.

Marco was already clapping.

I joined him.

Slowly.

Mostly because everyone else seemed committed to it.

[You appear enthusiastic.]

’I am.’

[Your clapping frequency suggests otherwise.]

’I don’t express joy through repetitive hand violence.’

[It is applause.]

’Exactly.’

The officiant spoke briefly to Elara before allowing her to leave the pedestal.

Father said something to her as she passed him.

Too quiet for most of the hall.

Not too quiet for the System.

But I didn’t ask it to listen.

Some conversations weren’t mine.

My stepmother touched Elara’s shoulder and said something else.

Elara smiled.

Then started toward us.

Meanwhile, nobles immediately began congratulating Father and my stepmother.

As though they had personally selected the letters produced by the Orb.

Apparently when one child awakened SS potential, unrelated nobles felt compelled to discuss how impressive it was among themselves.

Elara finally reached our row.

Marco stood first.

"Congratulations."

She smiled at him.

"Same as you."

"Your constitution is better."

Her smile grew.

"Are you jealous?"

"No."

"That sounded jealous."

"It wasn’t."

"Definitely jealous."

Sibling relationships were fascinating.

I had missed valuable research during my five-year absence.

Then Elara looked at me.

I remained seated.

Standing had already been established as unnecessary.

She waited.

I waited.

Her eyebrow rose.

Ah.

Apparently she wanted something.

"Congratulations."

"That’s it?"

I frowned.

"You awakened SS."

"Yes."

"That’s excellent."

She stared at me.

Then her gaze moved downward.

Dream Haven rested comfortably across my lap.

Her eyes narrowed.

"You’re sleepy."

"No."

[Lie.]

’Quiet.’

Elara folded her arms.

"You look sleepy."

"I always look like this."

"Your eyes are half closed."

"Efficient light management."

Marco sighed.

Elara stared at me for several seconds.

Then suddenly smiled.

Dangerous.

"Remember what you promised yesterday?"

I considered pretending not to.

Unfortunately, yesterday was recent enough that even my memory couldn’t justify that.

"I promised to attend."

"Awake."

"I don’t remember that part."

"You said you’d be here awake."

"I believe the final agreement was ’present.’"

Marco turned toward me.

"No, she specifically said awake."

Traitor.

I looked at him.

"You’ve become very talkative since yesterday."

His lips twitched.

Elara pointed at me.

"You are not sleeping."

"I didn’t say I was."

"You’re thinking about it."

"Thought isn’t a crime."

"It should be for you."

Harsh.

My sister had awakened SS potential and immediately become abusive.

Perhaps power truly did corrupt people.

[Delusional.]

’Stop using that word.’

The officiant began speaking again.

More ceremony.

More announcements.

More formal acknowledgment.

I tried to listen.

Truly.

I lasted approximately thirty seconds.

My head felt heavier.

Dream Haven felt softer.

The room was warm.

The nobles’ voices blurred into distant background noise.

Dangerous conditions.

Very dangerous.

I shifted slightly in my seat.

Marco immediately noticed.

"Don’t."

I looked at him.

"What?"

"You know what."

"I haven’t done anything."

"Yet."

Elara leaned toward me from his other side.

"If you sleep during my ceremony, I’m telling Penelope."

I stiffened.

Unreasonable escalation.

I looked across the hall.

Penelope was already watching me.

She smiled.

Not kindly.

Ah.

A coordinated attack.

I sat straighter.

"Fine."

Elara looked satisfied.

Marco looked amused.

I looked toward the ceiling.

SS potential.

Agility Constitution.

My sister would be strong.

Very strong.

That was good.

The world would become considerably more dangerous in a few years.

I knew that better than anyone inside this hall.

A strange part of me felt relieved.

Not because SS made her more valuable.

Not because House Vortex now had another exceptional talent.

Not because nobles would praise her.

Because when danger eventually arrived...

Elara would have a better chance of surviving it.

My eyes shifted toward her.

She was smiling while Marco quietly explained something about the constitution.

Yesterday, I hadn’t remembered her name.

Today...

I found myself wondering what kind of fighter she would become.

Fast, obviously.

Probably reckless.

Definitely troublesome.

I sighed internally.

Being an eldest brother was already creating unnecessary concerns.

[Growth.]

’Don’t ruin this.’

[Responsibility.]

’I can still go back to the border.’

[You will worry from the border.]

Annoying system.

I adjusted Dream Haven again.

Elara noticed.

"Alash."

"I’m awake."

"I didn’t say anything."

"You were going to."

She smiled.

"Good."

Then turned back toward Marco.

I exhaled.

Perhaps I could survive until the ceremony ended.

Probably.

I looked toward the Orb one final time.

Father and my stepmother still stood behind it while the officiant continued the closing formalities.

SS.

Same as Marco.

A smile slowly appeared on my face.

Good.

Very good.

Then I yawned.

Elara immediately turned.

"Alash!"

"What?"

"No sleeping!"

"I yawned."

"That’s how it starts."

She had known me for less than a day and already understood far too much.

Concerning.

I hugged Dream Haven slightly tighter.

This ceremony was going to be very long.