Chapter 19
Polaris Academia.
This educational institution is located on the Central Continent, the core among the many fragments of the ‘Valdeon’ Continent.
There are many similar educational facilities, but Polaris stands out as the largest and most prestigious.
Its influence is so significant that it’s customary for the children of noble families, prestigious houses, and even the imperial family to enroll here.
‘It’s said to have existed even before the empire was founded.’
Its roots run deep, and many of its aspects remain shrouded in mystery.
In fact, Polaris offers the most content in the entire “Valdeon Saga.”
‘Hidden pieces, secret quests, legacies of past headmasters, hidden areas, and more.’
Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.
One of the strengths of this place is that every element is geared towards growth.
There are a lot of things I want to achieve before the next inevitable event.
‘It’s also the perfect place to protect Angela.’
It’s a place filled with students of high pedigree.
The security there wouldn’t be easily breached.
In fact, in the ‘Princess Rescue Event,’ if you save Angela, she will inevitably enroll at Polaris.
‘Unlike in the game, Angela isn’t being targeted by just one person, Fernia, but multiple enemies.’
Even if it’s Fernia, he won’t be able to harm the princess within Polaris.
That’s probably why he’s hired the Yan Family instead of acting directly.
For now, let’s focus on reaching the Central Continent.
“Are you ready?”
“…Yes. I’m ready. Let’s go.”
We left the village that evening.
From now on, it’s a race against time.
***
“So, who are you looking for?”
It was a dark night, shrouded in a heavy silence.
A girl, wrapped in a cloak, grinned as she observed the woman standing before her.
“Even if I look shabby, try to understand. I have to dress like this to avoid getting caught.”
The crooked, handwritten sign in Imperial Common read:
[Mouse Hole]
The place was as shabby as its name, with an equally rundown sign, but—
[Mouse Hole] was the largest underground information broker.
They dealt in all sorts of secretive and stimulating information that couldn’t be obtained in the light. High-ranking officials would disguise themselves and visit just to get their hands on such valuable intelligence.
“Come on, come on! Just tell me what you need. I’ll tell you everything—except what I don’t know, of course. As long as the money’s good.”
Thump!
“Is this enough?”
The woman placed a hefty purse on the table.
A greedy smile spread across the girl’s face as she looked at it.
“As expected of someone from a prestigious family. You know how to spend.”
“…That’s not yours yet.”
“I know, I know. So, what do you want to know?”
The woman didn’t waste a moment and spoke immediately, as if every second spent hesitating was painful.
“My younger brother….”
Just thinking about it made her insides twist in agony.
“Find my younger brother. His name is Alben. Alben Oldeire.”
Her long ash-gray hair quivered.
Elma Oldeire, the sister of the missing Alben.
‘Oh…’
The girl knew her very well.
She was a swordsmanship genius who had inherited the talents of the current head of the Oldeire Family, Carbon.
At 19 years old, she was already fulfilling the responsibilities of the family’s successor while simultaneously serving as the Vice President of Polaris.
‘They say she’s a cold, emotionless iron-blooded woman. I didn’t think she could make a face like this.’
Talking about her missing brother—
“Please… If the money is not enough, I’ll get more….”
—she looked like nothing more than an ordinary person drowning in despair.
Her trembling knees and eyes, filled with anxiety—
That fragile expression.
Who could call this woman a monster now?
‘This is interesting.’
What kind of person could this Alben be to turn Elma into this?
Could it be just worry for a sibling?
The way she looked so anxious seemed a bit excessive.
“Alright. I’ll start gathering information. It won’t take long.”
“You mean… it’ll take time?”
“It’s not like we know the identity of everyone on the continent. But don’t worry. Once we cross-check a few things, finding a single person will be quick.”
“…I’ll trust you.”
“Oh~ Thank you for your request~.”
Elma, who had hoped to finally find Alben today, concealed her disappointment and paid the initial fee.
‘Alben, where are you….’
It had been quite some time since Alben went missing.
Each passing day weighed heavier on Elma’s heart.
How scared must he be right now?
“Alben….”
Was he being dragged away by some thugs, suffering from their mistreatment?
Whenever she thought of that, she wondered—
Was he calling out her name… asking for help?
“It’s okay… I’ll definitely save you….”
She longed to hold Alben in her arms once more and restore their lost peace.
‘The new semester is about to begin.’
She wanted to drop everything, give up on Polaris, and search for Alben herself.
But if she did that, Carbon would undoubtedly forbid any further search for him.
So, she had no choice but to locate [Mouse Hole] and make a request.
At least while she’s stuck at Polaris, she needs someone to find any trace of Alben.
“…I have to find him before the succession ceremony.”
She would find Alben.
That position—
‘…doesn’t belong to me, the imposter.’
***
“Hide our identities?”
While riding the carriage over the ridgeline, I chose the right moment to bring up the topic.
Maybe because it was the Central Continent with all its traffic, the carriages heading that way were overflowing at the village platform.
Carriage drivers love making money by loading up with goods and passengers.
Although we handed over a rather expensive trinket as a condition for having the entire carriage to ourselves, it was still better than walking or hiding under people’s watchful eyes.
“Yes, I’ll change my face and name once I reach the Central Continent.”
The reason I made this decision is simple.
‘It’s better to hide my current identity for many reasons.’
Given how the situation has changed from the game, it’s not wise to leave Angela unattended even if she’s inside Polaris.
While being a princess’s bodyguard isn’t an official position, it still requires certain qualifications.
Rather than being seen as someone expelled from a prestigious family due to a lack of qualifications, it’s better to be known as an enigmatic expert who ended up serving the princess by chance.
Moreover, if Alben before the possession had made a name for himself on the Central Continent, it could cause issues with my enrollment at the academy.
-‘How dare a wretch cast out by his own family set foot in Polaris? Get out of here, you fool!’
Even discarded fish still have some value, after all. I was once a member of the prestigious Oldeire Family, known for its swordsmanship.
If Polaris accepts someone who was expelled, it could tarnish the academy’s reputation.
I wouldn’t bother entering if it weren’t necessary, but right now, I have to milk everything I can out of that academy.
‘Phew.’
I gulped down the saliva pooling in my mouth and said,
“For me to guard you by your side, this is the best course of action.”
“B-By your side…!”
Angela’s eyes glistened with tears as her cheeks flushed red.
‘…Plus, Angela is a good source of Qi.’
Having her around means I can recharge my Qi rapidly whenever I’m in a crisis.
I now have another reason to stay close and act as her bodyguard.
“But… how are you planning to change your face? There must be limitations to illusion magic….”
“Don’t worry. I have a perfect method.”
At my confident declaration, Angela beamed brightly.
“Yes, I believe you. No matter what you say.”
Hm.
You don’t have to believe me that much.
Sparkle, sparkle…!
Those strangely gleaming eyes were a bit overwhelming.
“Ahem, ahem.”
I turned my head away and reviewed my plan.
‘Anyway, I’ve gone through similar routes a few times.’
And I always used that particular ‘hidden piece’ in those instances.
In “Valdeon Saga,” you can’t customize your character’s appearance.
The AI sets the character’s appearance based on the [Keyword] you choose.
However, this hidden piece enables ‘appearance customization.’
‘It doesn’t allow changing gender, though.’
At the very least, it allows a complete transformation into someone else’s appearance, not a half-baked disguise using magic.
It was a hidden piece I used effectively in builds for criminals or characters who needed to hide their identity.
“We’re almost there—.”
While I was lost in thought about whose face I should use, the coachman announced our arrival at the Central Continent.
“Haha, we arrived safely after all. When you handed over such a hefty sum at the beginning, I was worried you might be wanted individuals.”
Maybe because it’s a world where gender roles are reversed, but even the coachman is a woman.
It feels odd to see a coachman without the typical gruff, middle-aged man with a full beard.
It shatters my preconceived fantasy stereotypes.
‘Well, we are being targeted.’
To be honest, I stayed awake the whole time, expecting to be ambushed.
Strangely enough, nothing happened.
I thought, at the very least, some bandits would show up, but it was unnervingly quiet.
“Hmm….”
It’s a bit suspicious.
But isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?
At any rate, we’ve arrived safely at the Central Continent.
‘There are about two weeks left until the entrance exam for Polaris.’
That was information Angela provided.
They usually accept applications up to a week before the exam….
‘I’ll need to get that as soon as we arrive. I also need to create a fake identity.’
I sighed, thinking about how busy it’s going to be.
But still, no matter what—
“We’ve made it, to this place.”
The central hub of the Valdeon Saga and the main stage of the game.
[Central Continent, Centinium]
The carriage continued its vigorous journey forward.
—
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