Chapter 2: Vanitas Astrea [1]
"Ah?"
———「Act One」———
◆ Objective: Prevent the upcoming allegations and avoid losing your teaching profession at all cost.
「Rewards:」
◆ Understanding: +20%
◆ Spectacles of the Player's Archive
————————————
"..."
Then that meant, the allegations hadn't happened yet. However, he didn't know the timeline, there was a chance rumors were already circulating around.
"Prevent."
So,
…..It was still possible to turn things around.
He could avoid being exiled. Ultimately, getting a chance to live a normal life.
"Normal life….."
If anything, there was nothing normal about this situation at all. Yet for some reason, he found himself capable of staying calm and composed.
"Avoid losing my teaching profession!?"
In the first place, he had no experience being a Professor. He had done his fair share of personal tutoring in the past to accumulate funds for his education, but that was it.
"How would I even teach magic!?"
In this context, he was in a world ruled by magic and knights.
However, despite playing the game, it was but a point and click adventure. The action aspect being guided by a mouse and keyboard.
"..."
Yeah, he was fucked.
That much was certain.
To– Tok—!
All of a sudden, there was a knock on the bathroom door, followed by a soft voice.
—V–Vanitas, are you here?
"..."
It was a female's voice. She sounded awkward, even hesitant.
He had no idea who it was at all. He had only been in this form about forty minutes ago.
The moment he woke up, a sharp pain hit his stomach.
Instinctively, he bolted for what seemed to be a bathroom to take a desperate dump.
Yes, Chae Eun-woo's very first objective after waking up in a stranger's body was, without hesitation, to unleash a massive dump.
—Vanitas?
".....Y–Yes?"
—Ah, are you—Uhm, nevermind.
'Let's see, from her tone, I seem to be close with this woma—'
At that moment, as if an unforeseen force boiled within him. A sense of familiarity washed over his mind.
"This voice….."
It clicked. She was Vanitas' younger sister.
Charlotte Astrea.
'I don't recall this guy ever having a Sister.'
During the time of his apprehension, there was no one to plead for him.
But that was it. No memories of his time with her.
".....Late for what again?"
Silence lingered for a while, until eventually, as if she found her confidence, a comparison to her previously awkward tone, Charlotte spoke.
—The party. Did you forget? The Imperial Family sent an invitation to you a week ago.
"..."
Ah, that explained it. Now that he thought about it, he'd woken up in a fancy suit.
"Right. Just, uh, give me a minute."
'A party, huh….?'
How the hell was he supposed to maintain proper decorum in front of nobles!?
An unemployed 33 year old—
'I was looking for a job!'
A 33 year–old office worker, suddenly finding himself in a room filled with aristocrats.
It was a recipe for disaster.
".....Is it fine if I don't attend? I'm not feeling so well….."
—I–Is that so? ….It does smell out here.
"Why are you even still here….?"
He'd hoped she'd catch his hint, maybe think he was talking about something a little more serious.
But no, Charlotte seemed to assume his "not feeling well" had everything to do with the fragrant scent of shit wafting from the bathroom.
—I…. I'll wait for you downstairs.
"Haaa….."
Vanitas sighed and looked at his reflection once more. His hair had been disheveled, and his suit was slightly drenched.
He probably smelled like shit too!
Vanitas stepped outside of the bathroom not long after and looked around, looking for any signs of perfume.
"Wait."
A sudden thought arose.
「Silent Dominion」
◆ Allows spells to be cast purely through intent, with magic flowing directly from thought, silent and swift as an extension of will.
In the game, one of his favorite aspects had been mixing Essences to craft unique spells.
If he remembered right, there was a simple spell to create fragrance—he just needed the right blend.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated, drawing on Gaia and Aqua Essence.
Visualizing fresh floral notes, he willed the spell into existence, causing a shimmering light to envelop his body.
A light, refreshing scent filled the air at that moment.
"....."
So, his first magical endeavor in this new world was casting a perfume spell to drown out the smell of his own shit.
Truly innovative.
***
"Took you long enough."
Vanitas slid into the backseat of a black sedan parked outside the manor, where a young woman awaited him.
It was Charlotte, his supposed little sister. For some reason, she wouldn't meet his eye.
"Uh, yeah. Sorry, how late are we?"
"We have thirty minutes left."
"Ah."
In any case, the car drove off.
Vanitas couldn't help but steal subtle glances at Charlotte.
Dressed in a finely tailored dress that hugged her slender figure, she carried an air of refined beauty.
Her silky black hair, styled perfectly for the evening, and narrowed black eyes that stared outside the window.
She was, without a doubt, a beauty.
Physically, they were related by blood. Mentally, though—that was still up for debate.
Yet despite the disconnect, he felt an odd sense of familiarity with her, as if she truly were his little sister.
".....?"
There was a slight frown on her face as she stared out the car window.
"Anything on your mind?"
"Hm?"
She turned towards him, the frown disappearing.
"N–Nothing…. Just nervous thinking about my first day." Charlotte glanced at him, still not meeting his gaze, and continued. "What about you? Have you prepared for your lectures next month?"
"..."
Next month.
That meant he had a month to prepare before the start of the semester.
Lectures?
He had no idea what to teach at all!
He barely grasped the process of casting the perfume spell earlier. He had no idea how to actually implement chants into circuits at all!
But Chae Eun-woo was no stranger to cramming.
He'd been the type to grind through his textbooks back in college, even scoring in the top ten of South Korea's CSAT.
After countless hours grinding through the game, Vanitas had come to understand exactly how the developers had designed their magic system.
Calculus.
Each spell was essentially a complex equation.
A precise sequence where mana was channeled through defined pathways, like variables in an advanced formula.
"..."
Thinking he'd better start studying fast, his stomach twisted.
He wanted to run. However, that wasn't an option.
Escape would mean abandoning his only chance to make things right and protect his new life... or risk losing it all.
"Mhm."
Vanitas nodded at his sister, giving her a reassuring smile. He wasn't sure how the previous Vanitas acted around her.
But from what he could see, Charlotte was awkward around him.
The trip was silent shortly after that.
"We're here."
The driver announced, and the two siblings stepped outside the car.
Vanitas took in the sight of the venue where the supposed banquet for nobles was to be held.
The building towered above them, all ivory stone with carvings along the front.
Arched, stained-glass windows blended with soft colors over the entrance, giving it a warm glow.
Tall pillars framed the grand oak doors at the top of the steps, with red and gold banners draped along the walls, each one stamped with noble crests.
However, the Astrea family was a mere Viscount family. So, their noble crest wasn't imprinted there at all.
"Hoo..."
Vanitas calmed his racing mind. He had several interpersonal experiences during his time as Chae Eun–woo.
Moreover, he had in–game experience of an aristocratic setting.
'Right.'
Yes, he had to assure himself with delusional thoughts that he could maintain proper decorum throughout the entire evening.
"Shall we?"
Charlotte gestured, extending her arm.
"Of course."
Vanitas nodded, linking arms with his sister as they stepped into the grand hall together.