Chapter 1.9 — Nobility, Timelines and a New Job

  —The noble mansion of Fie Von Drachj?ger—

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  The scene finished loading and suddenly we were inside the noble mansion of

  Fie Von Drachj?ger. The hero party stood in the grand hall, as they were watching a woman approach them. Beatrix recognized her as the marquess of this region.

  Beatrix took out a sword and held it by its sheet.

  The woman’s eyes widened. “It's my fathers sword… you retrieved it? Her voice trembled in disbelief.

  Tears began streaming down as a faint smile took shape on her lips as she accepted the sword.

  Beatrix reached her hand out. “Anja Fie Von Drachj?ger—will you join me in defeating the Shadow king?”

  Anja wiped away her tears, she looked at the sword and with determination, took Beatrix's hand.

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  ***

  In front of the temple gates, the crowd stood in tense silence as the Seer was conducting the appraisal of a young noble.

  I saw the Seer pulling Ann in close, I couldn’t hear what she said to her, only that Ann's face contorted into confusion.

  But suddenly, the Seer said a name I didn’t expect…

  —Anja Fie Von Drachj?ger—

  Huh? What did she call Ann??

  My stomach twisted, my head spun like a roulette wheel… I tried to put the pieces together.

  I've been here for seven months, and yet I’ve only recognized Tess? I should have at least met one more, but no. Where are the other NPC’s? Unless—I'm in the past?

  But. if Ann truly is… Anja Fie Von Drachj?ger? Then, this is the past—thirty years or so?

  My face turned pale, Jen and Grey quickly grabbed on to me. “Hey, Leo, are you ok?” they shouted in unison.

  “Ahh, yes… I'm fine.” I grinned, trying to ease the tension.

  The nobleman walked up to the stage and stood beside Ann. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he gave her a warm smile, the weight of his presence grounding her.

  Ann, still taken aback by the Seer's word, nodded back, her body tense.

  The conductor took a step forward, raising his hand to greet the crowd.

  “This concludes the Royal Appraisal Ceremony… the marquess has come to make an announcement.” As he spoke, the conductor took a step back while making a gesture to the marquess.

  The marquess lifted his hand, greeting the crowd. “I, Thomas Fie Von Drachj?ger, am here to acknowledge—Anja Fie Von Drachj?ger, as my daughter.” He gazed upon the crowd, a smirk curling on his face.

  Murmurs echoed through the crowd, taken aback by the revelation.

  "She's been studying and training hard—preparing herself for the day, she can step into her responsibilities—as a noble woman.” he then raised her hands in victory.

  The crowds erupted in cheers, as I barely could keep myself standing from the mere shock of it all.

  My mind was racing, as I was trying to remember the scenario from the game—then it went blank, the crowd's cheers drowning my thoughts.

  I could hear my heart pounding, as I tried to focus. My body was shaking from the mere shock of the revelation… My eyes drifted around, that’s when I saw Ann being escorted to the carriage by the Nexus Sentinels.

  Ann briefly glanced back, her expression sad as she disappeared into the carriage.

  I took a deep breath, then glanced at Tess. “Was Ann, the other student you took under your wings?”

  “Umh, I can’t really say for sure,” Tess said in a cute voice while trying really hard, to avert my gaze.

  “Yeah, yeah… I get it.” Closing my eyes as I let out a long sigh.

  And with that the conductor officially ended the ceremony, and things went back to normal… Well, not everything.

  ***

  A few days had gone since the appraisal. Everyone at the orphanage was still talking about the crazy turn of events, and Ann’s true origin.

  “Who would have thought we'd been training a noble?” The Instructor leaned back, folding his arms.

  “Hehe, well can’t really be surprised, we are after all working for Miss Tessaria—who knows what other juicy things she's hiding?” The teacher chuckled in amusement.

  “Idiots” I muttered, as I was walking through the yard. I was still hung up on the fact that I had arrived in the past.

  Honestly, since coming here I've only been focused on survival. I wondered why I haven't met any other NPC’s from the game?

  I should at least have met some in the village, since it’s normal to try and speak with every NPC in the game, and of course—walking into every house… not that i was gonna do that…

  My thoughts were suddenly interrupted, by someone shouting after me.

  “Mister Leo! Please wait.” A maid was shouting while running towards me, huffing.

  “Ahh, thank you mister Leo… Miss Tessaria is summoning you.” She hunched down, panting.

  ***

  Down the long corridor, I stood outside Tess' office… I was hesitating for a moment. Despite having mixed feelings about her, for some reason I couldn't help but look forward to spending time with her—despite the “I might stab ya vibe.”

  Inside Tess's office, a knock came from the door.

  “Yes, you can come in.” Warmth in her voice.

  Ohh, she sounds in a good mood—yay me!

  I grinned as I entered the room.

  “Master, you wanted to see me?” I said with a bright face.

  “Yes I have a job for you… so we need to head out, now!” Her brows furrowed.

  “Ehh, now? I have to ask—”

  “—No need, I took care of that—come now.” She grabbed me by my arm.

  Before I knew it, she'd dragged me across the school and thrown me into a carriage.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  Well, getting dragged by a beauty like her… I can’t really complain.

  “So, I’m assuming the job is language related?” I looked at Tess curiously.

  “Of course, what else would it be?” she said, a slight grin formed on her lips.

  The maid who summoned me was sitting across from us, hiding her chuckle behind her hand. I glanced at her with a raised brow, then shifted my gaze back to Tess.

  “You gonna tell me where we are going?” I titled my head.

  Tess' smile grew as she elegantly shook her head.

  My good old friend, the vein in my forehead, began to pulse as I gritted my teeth, muttering under my breath, “That’s… so—great.”

  The maid's smile evaporated as she quickly averted her gaze—she probably heard my teeth grinding like a buzz saw.

  Tess, with a warm smile, reached over and began fiddling with my hair. “I’ ve told you before, as my apprentice you need to look presentable."

  My face flushed, so I folded my arms in protest.

  As the wheels rattled against the cobbled road, I focused on the scenery outside—deep in thought.

  The first time I met Tess, she completely threw me off guard. You see, her age is… hard to pinpoint. Let's just say there’s a reason for her slow aging.

  Because of that, I wasn't sure when I'd arrived in the game’s timeline. From what I remembered, the orphanage was destroyed around the late game, so in meeting her, I at least knew I was somewhere around early to mid-game.

  But Ann being Anja Fie Von Drachj?ger, is a giant curveball—one I can't knock back.

  I silently cursed the developers, they didn’t even include a calender or any timemarkes—so I had no idea where I was in the game's scenario.

  To make things worse, Tess only allowed me to study language for now.

  Apparently, she thinks learning anything else will “stifle my development” given my unique situation. So no history, no politics, no overview of recent events—Yay me!

  I caught a hint of perfume, lingering in the air. My gaze drifted to Tess.

  Ahh… but she does seem to look out for me, sweet—kind—tall as a tower beauty!

  Ahem. Anyway, I need to keep my cool and find a way to figure out where I am in the timeline. Anything that can give me a clue about what’s going on.

  I closed my eyes, sinking deeper into thought.

  ***

  Not long after the carriage stopped outside of a gate. I saw heavily armed men standing outside, they looked familiar. The coachman had stepped down, showing them a piece of paper.

  The guard kept shaking his head, while the coachman became more flustered. While I was looking at the scene, my eyes caught the emblem on the gate.

  wait don't tell me its—

  “—What's taking so long?” Tess, annoyed, poked her head out of the carriage.

  The guard jumped back, recognizing the woman and immediately nodded at the coachman, gesturing to the other guards who then opened the gate.

  Tess' expression became sour, her arms crossed as she was fuming. “That… woman!”

  ———

  As we arrived at the mansion, we were greeted by servants. I could see Tess was still fuming, but somehow she kept her cool.

  The mansion was huge, way bigger than the orphanage. As we stepped inside my stomach twisted, as I began sweating with anxiety…

  Tess, seeing the uneasiness in my face, gently patted my head in reassurance.

  “I know it can be a bit scary, but don't worry I'm here.”

  Somehow her words calmed me down, as we were led outside to the garden.

  “Ohh, is our meeting in the garden?” I looked at the servant, curiously.

  “Ahh, no… this is for you Mr. Nachman. The lord has summoned Miss. Dorfmund to study.”

  “I understand, I'll wait here then.” I felt the tension in my chest loosen.

  Tess turned to her maid, and with a look she understood.

  “Yes mistress, I'll look after him for you.”

  A smile formed on Tess's lips, “good, this won’t take long.”

  As she walked away, I couldn't help but give the maid a blank stare.

  What, are you now my babysitter?

  The trees rustled in the wind, carrying a faint scent of hazelnut… I felt my nerves calming down. For a moment I forgot where I was, simply taking it all in.

  Suddenly—it shifted. A familiar, almost playful pressure pressed from behind.

  Before I could react, my body moved on its own.

  I stepped aside just in time. A figure with a sidetail flew past, her face contorted in disbelief as the scene unfolded in slow motion.

  A thud echoed through the garden. “Auch… why did ya move??”

  I blinked, then rubbed my eyes. “Huh! Ann…”

  “Yeah! What, ya not gonna help me up?” She pouted.

  A grin appeared on my face, as I gave her a hand.

  Still pouting she looked away for a moment—then snuck a glance only to look away again.

  “Pfff hahaha.” I broke into laughter.

  “Hey, what's so funny?” Ann folded her arms, as her brows furrowed in curiosity.

  “You seem like your usual self… when you left at the end of the ceremony, you had a sad look on your face.” I leaned back, explaining.

  “Ohh… that.” Her expression softened.

  She took a deep breath, “ father told me once I had my appraisal, I would have to leave the orphanage and come back here.”

  Her shoulders slumped as her expression turned sad. Annoyed, I took my finger and flicked it on her nose.

  “Ouch what's that for?” She asked, caressing her nose.

  “Touch luck, you're a noble so you need to get over it!” I said, raising a brow.

  “Huh?” Her eyes widened.

  I folded my arms. ”So what if you have to leave the orphanage.”

  Ann froze, then blinked a couple of times.

  “Many people will rely on you in the future, so you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself.” I said pointing at her.

  Ann tilted her head, then thought for a moment. “You think I should?”

  I nodded. “Yes, you can either run away like a coward or stay and take responsibility.”

  She lowered her head, thinking deeply on his words. Ann then lifted her head and with a renewed resolve she proclaimed. “I won’t run away.”

  Clapping echoed through the garden, "Nicely done.”

  Ann turned her head. “Father! Weren’t you having a meeting?”

  Ann’s mother and father stood with Tess at the sidelines, they'd apparently been observing our exchange.

  I immediately froze, not sure what to do. Tess’s maid stood beside me, she then bowed in front of the marquess as she gave me a sharp look.

  Ohh yeah. Quickly I copied the maid and took a bow.

  The marquess closed the distance until he stood towering above me like a skyscraper.

  “I see, so this is the brilliant student you’ve been fawning over.”

  “Father??” Ann’s face flushed as she shouted.

  “Haha, no worries, just teasing a bit.” He chuckled.

  “Hmm, he does not seem too impressive.” Ann's mother interjected, her face hardened.

  Tess stared at the mother, her gaze sharpened.

  “He’s a commoner and a small child; his teachers can't be very skilled, nor has he lived long enough to accumulate any notable achievements.” She scowled, holding her fan close to her mouth.

  I stared at her, blank-faced. What's she talking about? Yeah I'm just a kid with nothing to show yet… duh!

  Ann's lips shortly parted only to immediately close, not knowing what to say.

  Tess tightening her fist. “It might be too much to place upon him. He is still growing. Besides, he hasn't gone through his appraisal yet.”

  The mother gave Tess a sharp look, and just as she was about to speak.

  “Now is not the time.” The marquess interrupted.

  He looked at me for a moment, then turned his head to Tess. “I trust your judgement."

  “Boy, I’ve heard you’ve helped Anja with her studies. For that, I thank you—and I would like to ask if you would become her teacher.”

  “Huh, wait, you can't be serious?” Ann's mother panicked.

  The marquess looked at her. “Yes I'm serious, from what I've seen Anja has been doing better ever since he began to help her.”

  “But—” A tear rolled down her cheek.

  He raised a hand, silencing her. “Enough. I've made my decision.”

  He turned on me. “What do you say, boy?”

  I glanced at Ann. She was holding back her excitement, waiting for my answer.

  My gaze shifted to Tess—she had a smug grin on her face.

  Yep, she planned this alright…

  I took a deep breath as my eyes returned to Ann, who was basically holding her breath at this point. Well I’ve already been helping her with her studies.

  Becoming her tutor now that I know who she really is… not what I expected.

  Still, being a tutor for a noble has its benefits—and honestly, I don't want to disappoint either Tess or Ann.

  I exhaled, then gave my answer.

  “Yes I accept.”