In the corridor outside, the sound of Ms. Mary's footsteps gradually faded away.
When he was certain the two had truly left, Ansu let out a long sigh of relief.
Finally, he didn't have to keep up the act anymore...
【System rewards generating...】
【You have made a critical change in reality, but you have strayed too far from the world you knew; the road ahead will be filled with the unknown...】
【Chosen One, you have yet to overturn your fated death. Please continue to work hard!】
【Reward: 40 points】
【Remaining points: 48】
Ansu carefully read through the system prompts over and over again. It seemed that changing his fate really could earn him point rewards.
However, this particular "change" of his was a bit like courting death.
After all, playing a hypnosis game with the World Ending Witch - Celia was like dancing on the Grim Reaper's toes...
Outside the building, a noisy commotion interrupted Ansu's thoughts.
It was the sound of a carriage.
Ansu quickly stood up, walked to the window, and gently pulled back the curtain a fraction.
Near the academy gates, three silver-white carriages bearing the emblem of the Church of Holy Light had just come to a halt. A crowd had already gathered around them, and the vice principal was greeting an elderly man stepping out of a carriage with a beaming smile.
Judging by the old man's attire, he was likely an archbishop. It appeared this was the high ranking official mentioned in the reports.
Although the vice principal's reception was flawless, Ansu was certain the man was utterly confused, having no idea why the archbishop had suddenly arrived.
Ansu's gaze searched through the crowd before settling on a few low-profile female clergy members.
The Holy Maiden must have disguised herself and blended in with the retinue.
After all, with her status, every move she made carried significant weight, so she couldn't afford to be too high profile.
However, Ansu had no intention of meeting her.
The church's sudden visit had interrupted Celia's plan to take him back to the cult, and that was enough.
Otherwise, Ansu wasn't sure if he would have slipped up. If another old monster from the cult had popped up to test him, he would have been finished...
Ansu sighed inwardly. Things had developed far beyond his expectations.
He could only take it one step at a time. For now, he couldn't go see the Holy Maiden because he was worried about other eyes and ears the cult might have.
Even though the Holy Maiden would likely be living in fear for the next few days...
There was no other way, so he would just have to leave her hanging for now.
...
Avoiding the church's convoy and the onlookers, Ansu lowered his head and quietly left the academy.
He gave himself a holiday. He needed to go home and properly organize his thoughts.
Of course, this wasn't skipping class. Since his substitute teacher was one of his own, he was sure Ms. Mary wouldn't have any objections.
Passing through the bustling streets, Ansu boarded a steam-powered public transport. In the stuffy carriage filled with the smell of burning coal cinders and sweat, he watched the scenery slowly recede outside the window.
Compared to the clean and tidy wealthy district near Benalu Royal Academy, the Black Harbor District where he lived was covered in factories emitting thick black smoke. Machines and furnaces roared day and night, and both the living environment and air quality were abysmal.
After reaching his stop, Ansu passed rows of low, dilapidated terrace houses and crossed a potholed alley before stopping in front of No. 221A.
This cheap little house in the city's lower class district was his current home.
Pulling out his key, Ansu opened the door, and the savory aroma of food wafted toward him.
"Brother? You're back!"
Hearing the door open, a young girl wearing a simple dress and an apron greeted him excitedly.
"Huh?" The girl's azure eyes blinked as she looked curiously at Ansu, who hadn't even brought his bag back.
"Brother, why are you back so early today? I thought school just let out?"
"Um... Ms. Mary gave me the day off," Ansu replied casually, then studied the beautiful girl before him.
Though the girl was dressed simply, her natural beauty was hard to hide.
Her slightly curly, pale blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, and her features were delicate and soft. When she smiled, her eyes turned into lovely crescents, like an angel who had fallen to the mortal realm.
【Hunter of the Darkness - Vera】
If he didn't know the plot, who would have thought this gentle and cute girl would become that cold and ruthless demon hunter in the future.
All those changes were because of his death.
Thinking of this, Ansu sighed inwardly.
He hadn't just transmigrated; he hadn't suddenly descended into this family. He retained the emotions and memories of two lifetimes. From the moment he met Vera at the orphanage when he was seven, the two had depended on each other for many years. He didn't want his sister to become like that in the future...
To become a blade in the hands of the church.
A poor soul wandering the edge of life and death, constantly fighting against her own madness and corruption...
"Oh, I see," Vera didn't ask further. "Then go rest for a bit, brother. School is exhausting. Dinner will be ready in a while!"
"Okay." Ever since their adoptive father passed away, his sister had taken charge of the housework. Ansu nodded and sat on the second-hand fabric sofa in the living room that had seen many years of use.
Although the house was old and worn, and the furniture was all antique, everything was kept in perfect order by his sister, giving the place a warm, lived-in feel.
After sitting in the living room for a while, Ansu suddenly smelled something burning.
He thought his sister had burned the food, but looking closely, he saw her crouching by the fireplace, lighting something that looked like a letter.
"Vera, what are you burning?" Ansu asked in confusion.
Vera's expression seemed a bit unhappy as she pouted. "Burning a love letter."
"A love letter?"
Ansu was stunned. He thought his sister had already dropped out of school, so how could she receive a love letter? He walked over curiously. "Is it for you?"
"It's a love letter for you!" Vera glanced toward the house next door. "That Joanna from next door is after you again! I told her you'd be back very late today and sent her away, but she gave me this before she left."
"Ah, I see..." Ansu remembered what the neighbor's daughter looked like.
Ever since they moved in, she would come over every few days to sit for a while and chat about nothing in particular, and her attitude toward him was very attentive...
"Hmph, girls these days have no modesty at all. You can tell she wasn't raised well!" Vera said crossly. "Brother, you absolutely mustn't fall for a woman like that!"
Seeing Ansu's eyes fixed on the burning letter, as if he were lost in thought, Vera puffed out her cheeks, her expression becoming even more dissatisfied.
"Brother, you're not actually curious about what's in the letter, are you?"
"No," Ansu was a bit curious, but he didn't want to make his sister unhappy. "My studies at the academy are very demanding. I don't have the heart for that right now."
"That's good..." Vera felt relieved, then glanced toward the neighbor's house again, her cute little face filled with disdain.
"Hmph, her? She thinks she's worthy of my brother?"
"She should look in a mirror first..."
Ansu was amused by her behavior and teased, "Then who do you think is worthy of your old brother?"
"Well..." Vera's large, expressive blue eyes rolled as she stroked her chin in thought.
"Only the best, most perfect woman is worthy of my brother! But for now... your main task is to study! Don't think about these things. If that day ever comes..."
She flashed a mischievous smile at Ansu. "I'll definitely be the one to vet her for you, so don't you worry!"
"Oh, is that so..." Ansu watched Vera silently. It seemed that at some point, she really had started to intentionally control his social interactions.
She would also pay special attention to the female students he got along with at school...
Ansu frowned as he suddenly had a realization.
His sister seemed to have a bit of a brother complex?
Rate on N.U.
