bookpower Chapter 2: Vanitas Astrea [1]
Chapter 2: Vanitas Astrea [1]
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?"
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.