The end of a genius born in the wrong era was miserable.
「Enoch Elsyde.」
A direct descendant of the Elsyde Margrave family, and a simpleton.
An idiot with absolutely no talent for magic.
Considering the Elsyde bloodline, known as a family of magic in the Empire's frontier, his existence itself was a disgrace to the family.
But who would have known?
That his talent, which no one had realized, had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
However, his talent with the sword, born in the wrong era, was abandoned without being recognized by anyone.
Because in the modern Magic Empire, what was recognized was magic, not the sword.
An era when 90% of the entire empire's population had become mages, and magic was incorporated into every field achieved by mankind.
Those with outstanding magical talent were promoted in status, while those who were not began to live the lives of the lower class.
In that way, a thorough meritocratic class society based on magic was established.
Because it was such an era.
A genius born at the wrong time was slowly fading away on one side of the Empire.
Enoch Elsyde.
An unfortunate genius who was bound to exist in any world, in any era. A pitiful boy born with a talent that the world did not recognize.
'…He was that kind of character.'
The world that was the setting for the game. <Atlas Magic Empire>.
One of the supporting characters there. Enoch Elsyde.
'Enoch Elsyde was just a character who showed the reality of talent being sacrificed to the era.'
A consumable item in the story to imprint the background of the special game called <Magic Empire> on the player.
A 'genius of the sword' who would eventually meet a tragic fate, no matter which route he took.
But….
"No way."
One day.
When I opened my eyes, I had become Enoch Elsyde.
***
"Young Master Enoch, have you woken up?"
From outside the room, I could hear a voice calling him for the third time already.
I didn't want to admit it, but I needed to sort out the situation first. Enoch clutched his head on the bed and retraced his memories.
The game <Magic Empire Atlas>.
A game that I had cleared hundreds of times.
Stories connected to numerous routes. Battles using various magic skills.
Acquiring companions in various ways, forming parties, and strategizing – even diverse play styles.
I was fascinated by its attractive gameplay and watched all the endings of countless routes, and even diligently devoured the character settings of all the characters that appeared.
It was no exaggeration to say that I was a so-called 'seasoned player.'
And I was probably playing while burning through the night of my holiday, just like usual, until just now.
I was sure I had been.
Up to that point, my memory was clear.
"And after that…."
I couldn't remember.
Squeeze.
With an anxious heart, I crumpled the pillow in my fist.
The soft material filled my hand.
This wasn't a dream.
Even the pillow I was holding right now came to me with an unnecessarily vivid sensation.
An unrealistic situation with a realism that was so damn real.
"Why the hell?"
The mirror hanging across from the bed. I checked my face reflected there again.
I had already checked it dozens of times, but no matter how many times I looked, the reality before my eyes did not change.
Hair as black as ebony.
Sharp-eyed black eyes.
A boy with fair skin and a handsome appearance.
He looked to be in his mid-to-late teens, but it was easy to overlap him with the character depicted in the game.
Enoch. Enoch Elsyde.
One of the names of the extras who appeared in the game.
He was a character with a very unfortunate fate, so I remembered him clearly even though he was a supporting character.
That's why it was even harder to accept the fact that I had become him.
But the surroundings were a cold interior that was completely different from the reality I already knew.
The large wooden furniture and the spacious room were luxurious, but endlessly practical rather than aristocratic.
The scenery was too blatant to deny the reality before my eyes.
Creak.
At that moment, the large door opened and someone came in.
"Young Master Enoch, excuse me. I came in because there was no answer. Have you woken up?"
When I turned my gaze there, a beautiful girl with long silver hair standing before my eyes.
That alone was astonishing.
What's more, that outfit….
"You must be tired, but you should get ready quickly. It's almost time for the morning conference."
A black dress.
A white apron.
Surely that was called a maid, wasn't it?
It was the first time I had seen such a full-fledged outfit in person.
Enoch stared blankly at her instead of answering.
My mind was not yet organized, and I couldn't decide how to react to the sudden situation.
"Young Master?"
She looked at me for a moment, as if wondering.
She was a beautiful girl who looked about the same age as Enoch.
Silvery hair rippling over her delicate white skin.
Clear, bluish-silver eyes that seemed to be piercingly cold.
Bewitching red lips.
Soft curves that were clearly revealed even over her maid uniform.
'If she had appeared in the game, she would definitely be a memorable figure.'
However, Enoch Elsyde was one of the minor supporting characters in the game.
There was no way I could recognize his teenage acquaintances, let alone a maid or something.
Enoch felt a cold sweat slowly running down his back.
This maid didn't appear in the game, so it was natural that I didn't know her name.
But it would be very, very unnatural for Enoch, the owner of this body, not to know her identity.
Because she was a maid, even a servant close enough to come into the bedroom without hesitation.
What was his relationship with Enoch? What should I say?
'It's definitely a situation where talking unnecessarily would make me suspicious.'
First, I had to save my words as much as possible, act carefully, and find out what situation I was in now.
At that time. The silver-haired girl in the maid outfit tilted her head slightly.
“…Perhaps, are you not feeling well?”
"No. I'm just a little tired."
I tried to gloss over it, but the moment I opened my mouth, the sense of incongruity amplified even more.
'Natural plain speech.'
Was his tone always like this? Or was it a habit of Enoch, the original owner of this body?
At least it was fortunate that I didn't stutter.
"You drank so much strong liquor in your room last night, it's no wonder you're tired."
She said that as she cleared away the trays and bottles rolling around next to the bed.
Apparently, 'Enoch' had drunk a lot of alcohol last night. Hearing that, I felt a bit nauseous.
"I was a little surprised that you drank alcohol unlike usual, Young Master. Would you like me to support you if you need it?"
"No. I'm fine."
Slowly, Enoch got up from his seat.
He stepped onto the floor and lightly bit his teeth to stop his confused thoughts.
First, I had to do something.
If I just hesitated, I would only arouse suspicion.
Enoch strode towards the door.
Thud.
But soon, he had to stop by the maid's hand, who snatched him from behind.
She said to Enoch in a calm tone.
“…Young Master, you are still in your pajamas.”
"Ah."
***
After changing clothes, I checked the mirror in the room again.
A boy with a cold atmosphere was standing in the glass.
But apart from his handsome and cool appearance, his eyes were somehow calmly sunken.
He had eyes that you could never think of as a boy of his age.
Was this the impression I gave?
"Are you finished?"
Just then, the silver-haired maid I saw earlier opened the door and came in. Enoch nodded slightly.
"To be confused about the location of the closet. I didn't know you would have such a severe hangover."
Enoch narrowed his eyes for a moment.
Just now, he hesitated because he didn't know where the closet was. She must have known that he was not his usual self.
Should I believe her that she thought it was just a simple hangover?
If not….
Rustle.
But she naturally approached Enoch and perfectly fixed his slightly disheveled shirt.
Enoch glanced down at her as she was fixing his collar.
The infinitely transparent and cool atmosphere of the unnamed maid felt somewhat distant.
Perhaps that was why it was even more difficult to figure out exactly what kind of relationship she originally had with Enoch.
"It seems we won't be late. I'll escort you."
In the wide hallway, there were many people passing by, including other maids and butlers in the same outfits as her.
Even so, the hallway didn't feel cramped at all.
That's how tall and huge the Elsyde family's castle was.
She soon stopped in front of a door. It was a huge door that could fit more than a dozen people at once.
"Young Master Enoch, it's been a while. Have you been well?"
The elderly man standing in front of the door greeted him politely.
"It's been a while, Lien. The morning conference will begin soon. Let's go in."
"Thank you, Chief Butler."
She bowed lightly and took the lead.
'Lien.'
So that's the name of this maid, Lien.
But suddenly, Enoch felt a sense of incongruity.
He recalled the Chief Butler's words from earlier.
'…Wait. Lien?'
What Chief Butler in the world would use honorifics for a maid?
Usually, a Chief Butler would be an important position in charge of the secretary of a high-ranking noble, right?
Engrossed in a brief question, Enoch followed her in and faced the sight that unfolded behind the door.
Dozens of people were sitting around a table in a room that was vast.
They all turned their heads at the sound of someone entering. Stinging glances poured out.
Enoch followed the guide and entered the room.
It was a huge, elegant, and luxurious conference room. It took quite a bit of effort just to check the faces of the participants in the meeting.
"You're not late. Take a seat."
Someone said that in the quiet atmosphere of the room.
Lien bowed slightly towards him and naturally guided Enoch to his seat.
The man standing on the platform then opened his mouth.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin. The head of the family is away on a business trip for a while. Therefore, I will proceed with this regular conference as usual."
Even in this large conference room, his voice was strangely clear.
Magic of voice amplification. One of the convenient magics that reminded me of modern microphones.
"The most important agenda item for this month is only one."
The man standing on the platform looked this way and suddenly declared.
"The issue is about expelling the 9th Circle, Enoch Elsyde, who is sitting over there, from the family."
Expulsion.
The eyes of everyone in the conference room turned this way. Numerous eyes were watching him at once.
Enoch felt the surrounding atmosphere change and quietly swallowed his breath.
"As everyone here knows, the customs of the Empire are fair to everyone. That does not change even if you are a direct descendant of the Count's family."
The man on the platform looked at him with cold eyes.
"The 9th Circle Enoch Elsyde has been a great flaw in the reputation of the Elsyde Count family. Therefore, appropriate measures are needed according to custom. If anyone has any objections, please raise them now."
But no one came forward.
Some were even nodding with expressions that said, "Why did you make this decision only now?"
"Then, Executive Officer Grantel Skyll, please state the decision."
As his name was called, the gazes around him subtly shook.
─The Skyll family is an old 'follower family' of the current Elsyde Margrave.
In the Magic Empire, 'families' are operated in a very complex and elaborate system.
Beside outstanding mages who are worthy of everyone's recognition, there are 'follower families' who support them and share their intentions.
Moreover, the words of the man who serves as the follower family of the current Margrave himself have a different weight.
The will of the head of the family he serves as a follower family is his will. It is practically the same as hearing the head of the family's decision.
"I will state the decision made by the head of the family."
The man named Grantel, who had gained the right to speak, stood up from his seat and said.
"Young Master Enoch Elsyde has not been granted the 'mission' that he should have performed as a direct member of the main family until this year, when he turned 17 years old. This is due to the fact that he still cannot use any magic even before his coming-of-age ceremony."
People nodded here and there.
Enoch was secretly surprised.
He knew very well that he had no talent for magic, as it was briefly mentioned in the game, but….
'…I didn't know it would be this miserable.'
A scion of the Magic Empire's magic family who really can't use any magic at all.
Becoming Enoch, an extra, made the meaning of that fact feel even more painful.
"Currently, the Elsyde main family is a prestigious family that has produced numerous combat mages and commanders of the Empire. It also has a very large impact on the Empire's military and defense industries."
He looked straight down at Enoch and said.
"As I said before. We have determined that the actions of Young Master Enoch, who is a direct descendant, will continuously degrade the family's prestige in the future."
Blatant contempt.
"Therefore, we have concluded that it is appropriate to 'expel' Enoch from the family according to custom."
Again, no one raised any objections. Tacit approvals followed.
Enoch swallowed hard.
From the start, the situation was running at its worst.