Rise Of The Rightful Heir

A Kinkaid In Disguise

Laxus arrived in Las Vegas, hoping for a fresh start. He had left the Kinkaid mansion with nothing but the clothes on his back. As expected, all his accounts linked to the Kinkaids were frozen, a clear move by his father. Despite having earned the money legally, it didn't matter because of the Kinkaid name attached to them. His father was likely trying to show him that he couldn’t survive without the family’s help.

Fortunately, Laxus had a small amount stashed away in a separate account under a different name. It wasn't much compared to his frozen accounts, but it was enough to rent a modest apartment, buy a few clothes, and cover basic meals for a week. The reality hit hard. He needed a job fast, or he’d end up on the streets.

He laughed bitterly at the irony. Just days ago, he had more than enough to eat, even if he wasn’t treated well. Now, he was starting from scratch, determined to make it on his own.

Laxus hurried through the crowded streets, holding his coat over his head to shield himself from the pouring rain. He was on his way to his third job interview that week, too broke to afford a cab. Missing a meal is now a real consequence of any unnecessary spending.

He arrived at the building, shaking off the rain from his coat as he held his breath. He wore a plain white shirt, black pants, and a brown tie, with a trench coat thrown over his outfit. A small bag containing his few documents hung from his shoulder.

The building was home to a small radio station where he had applied for a cleaner position. After receiving directions from the receptionist, he waited in the lobby until he was called in for the interview.

Seated in front of the manager, Laxus tried to remain calm as the man skimmed through his application. ""Mr. Laxus Michelen, age 27, no credible background?"" the manager asked, glancing up at him.

“Yes, sir,” Laxus replied, forcing a polite smile. His hands fidgeted nervously as he silently prayed for a chance.

The manager shook his head. ""I’m sorry, but I’ll have to reject your application. Your profile is too vague, and your identity seems questionable. It’s a risk I can’t afford to take, especially for a company still trying to establish itself.""

Laxus’s heart sank. He had known it would be difficult, but the harsh reality stung more than he anticipated. The new name he had adopted, Laxus Michelen, had gotten him nowhere. Without his belongings or credentials which bore the Kinkaid name, finding a proper job seemed impossible.

“Thank you, sir,” Laxus said quietly as he stood up. He gathered his documents and left the building, facing yet another setback in his struggle to rebuild his life.

Laxus’s stomach growled as he walked down the bustling streets of Las Vegas, reminding him that he needed to eat soon. To stretch his dwindling funds, he had cut back to two meals a day. As he moved through the city, he kept an eye out for job vacancies and an affordable place to grab a bite.

Passing by a modest restaurant, he noticed the sign outside: “Kitchen Staff Needed.” The place looked like it had seen better days, with a faded two-star rating, but it still caught his attention. He paused to read the sign carefully before deciding to walk in. He had never imagined working in a restaurant, even though his time at his father’s mansion had given him some culinary skills.

Inside, the restaurant was more polished than he had expected. It was small but had a certain charm, and he realized that even a simple meal here was probably beyond his current means. Approaching the counter, he asked to speak with the manager about the job opening. The host directed him to a back office.

As he made his way to the manager’s office, he clutched his bag nervously, hoping for a stroke of luck. Entering the staff-only area as instructed, he hesitated, unsure of what to expect.

“Who are you?” a voice called out, stopping him in his tracks.

Laxus turned to see a chubby man with a bald head, dressed in a tuxedo but holding a chef's apron. Laxus quickly assumed this was the manager he was looking for.

""I’m Laxus Michelen, sir. Good evening,"" he replied, walking up to the man.

""And what are you doing back here, Mr. Laxus? This area is for staff only,"" the manager said, his tone calm but firm.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Laxus explained. “I’m here to apply for the job vacancy posted outside, and I was directed this way.”

The manager’s expression brightened. ""Finally! I was beginning to think no one would apply."" He handed the apron to Laxus, who held it nervously, unsure of what was happening.

“Head to the kitchen,” the manager instructed. ""You’ll find Henry there. Do whatever he tells you. He’s been handling everything alone.""

“Wait, does this mean I’m hired?” Laxus asked, still trying to process what was happening.

The manager sighed, exasperated. ""Yes, you’re hired. Now go help Henry before he decides to quit too.""

“Thank you, sir,” Laxus said, relief washing over him. He turned to head toward the kitchen, but as he took his first step, he tripped, stumbling over the manager’s feet.

The manager let out a little laugh, shaking his head. ""Careful, kid. We need you in one piece.""

Everyone present started laughing at Laxus. 

“Look at him… did he really think he’d get hired looking like that?” The man he had mistaken for the manager laughed.

""You thought you could get a job here? What a joke! We don’t need lowlifes like you working here."" Laxus’s heart sank. He had walked in with hope, only to find out he was just the punchline of a cruel joke.

“That’s enough, Drake!” a firm voice interrupted. Laxus turned to see an older man approaching.

“Father, I didn’t do anything wrong,” Drake, the man who Laxus had thought was the manager, defended himself. Laxus now saw that Drake was younger, maybe in his early twenties.

“Everyone, back to work,” the older man ordered, and the workers quickly dispersed.

Laxus, unsure of what was happening, greeted the older man. “Good evening, sir.”

“Good evening,” the man replied. “Are you here for the chef position?”

“Yes, sir,” Laxus answered, trying to hide his nerves.

“Good. You’re hired. I need you here tomorrow at eight in the morning so we can discuss the details before you start,"" the man said.

Laxus could hardly believe it. ""Thank you, sir. I’ll be here on time.""

The man nodded. “What’s your name?”

“Laxus Kin… Laxus Michelen, sir,” Laxus stammered, almost slipping up.

""Good to meet you, Laxus. I’m Henry, the manager. You can call me Henry.""

Before Laxus could respond, another employee rushed over, out of breath. ""Sir, another worker just quit. We’re overwhelmed, it’s just the two of us left.""

Henry sighed. “We’re losing customers to our competitors,” the employee added. Business had been rough, with low sales and staff quitting due to poor pay.

Henry looked at Laxus. “Can you start right now?” he asked.

Laxus nodded eagerly. “Of course, sir.”

“Good. Get to work,"" Henry said, tossing him an apron. Laxus quickly tied it on and followed Henry to the kitchen.

Hours later, the last customer left, and the restaurant closed. Laxus leaned against the counter, his body aching from the day’s work. He was exhausted but grateful he had managed to secure a job, and that was a victory.

""Thank you, Laxus. You really saved the day,"" Henry said, respect in his eyes.

Drake, who had been nearby, scoffed. ""He just did what he’s paid to do. Nothing special.”

“Like you’re paid to work but never do,” Henry shot back, making Drake frown.

Drake had disliked Laxus the moment he saw him, but now he understood why Laxus had taken the spotlight that once belonged to him. His father seemed to favor Laxus, and that didn’t sit well with Drake.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Laxus,” Henry said with a smile. Laxus nodded, thanked him, and went to the dressing room to gather his things.

As Laxus left, Drake frowned and spoke to his father. ""You’re praising him too much. He has just started working here.""

""Did you taste his hamburgers? He knows what he’s doing. If he stays, this restaurant will turn around in no time,"" Henry replied, smiling.

Drake clenched his fists. ""I’ve been making great hamburgers for years. No one does it like I do.""

""Until Laxus came along. Everyone today ordered a hamburger because Laxus made it. He’s going to be a great asset to this place,"" Henry said, walking away, leaving Drake angry and jealous.

Laxus stepped out of the restaurant, breathing a deep sigh of relief. He was tired, but happy to have a job, something to sustain him for a while. The day had been strange, but it had ended in his favor.

As he walked down the dimly lit street, he knew he’d have to walk twenty minutes home, since a cab was out of the question. No matter how tired he was, he had no choice.

He was halfway home when he sensed someone behind him. Turning, he saw Drake.

“Oh, hi Drake,” Laxus said, trying to be polite.

Drake smirked as he walked closer. ""From the moment you walked in, I didn’t like you. And when my father took a liking to you, I hated you even more. Want to know what I found out about you?""

Laxus’s heart pounded. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

""You’re not who you say you are. You’re Laxus Kinkaid, son of Darwin Kinkaid,"" Drake whispered.