I walked alone through the long corridors of the imperial castle.
My footsteps echoed faintly against the polished marble floor as sunlight filtered through the tall stained-glass windows lining the hallway.
In the surface I looked calm and composed but the truth was inside a wave of panic was surging inside of me.
'Nyx definitely reported this.'
There was no doubt about it.
That maid was absurdly loyal to the Second Princess. If something unusual happened, she would report it immediately.
I scratched the back of my head in frustration.
"Damn it… why did I interfere?"
I had promised himself not to get involved in the story and yet the moment i saw Elizabeth being bullied, my body moved on its own.
'Great job, genius.'
Now I must surely be a target for the second princesss and she didn't liked to be opposed.
It wouldn't be surprised if I woke up dead tomorrow if I ever get to sleep.
Still… i tried to reassure himself.
After all the story hasn't even started yet.
The Art Awakening Ceremony would only take place tonight.
Everything important began there.So as long as he didn't touch anything related to the ceremony itself…Nothing should change
Right?
…Right?
I sighed.
'if I stay in the castle too long, something else is definitely going to happen.'
That thought alone was enough to make me uneasy.
Which was why I needed a plan Right now and the only thing that got to my head was something that make perfectly sense.
If all my problem was somewhere then I needed to go somewhere with no problem and the only location that I know that I would have little peace was... the Magic Tower.
Yes I know it was a fucked up logic but as I remember in the game we could still go in the Magic Tower in advance for the ceremony and right now they will surely be no main character.
So my plan was simple:
Go to the ceremony in advance.
Stay far away from the main characters.
And quietly watch everything unfold.
I nodded to myself as I thinked about it.
"Perfect plan"
Luckily for me, i knew the layout of the castle extremely well. I was able to navigate and make sure to not encounter anyone related to the second princess.
After navigating several corridors and staircases, i finally arrived at a massive pair of doors.
They were enormous at least five meters tall.
Black metal reinforced the ancient white stone, and glowing runic inscriptions faintly pulsed along the edges.
This massive door was a travel portal. In the game there were recurrent and was made for checkpoint and each one have his own history.
For this one it was made as a sign of trust for both side the imperial family and the mage of the Tower could help each other directly if necessary.
As I approached the door two imperial guard was standing before it.
Both men looked extremely massive compared to normal human their armor forged from enchanted steel was engraved with protective runes and the emblem of the Imperial Family. Crimson cloaks hung from their shoulders, and long halberds rested firmly in their hands.
Even without doing anything, they radiated discipline and strength.
I didn't need to have played the game to knew that those two would be strong but in the game there strength was not what make them memorable but their attack coordination.
'They're strong.'
But I couldn't feel the same terrifying pressure I had felt with nyx either it was because she directly menacing me or it was just that she was a monster of power.
As i approached, the two guards immediately straightened and bowed respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Sir Edward"
I nearly flinched as the two bowed to me.
'Why are they bowing to me?!'
It wasn't like I didn't like it. No I was just not comfortable with being treated with thsi level of respect after all it was jaut a few hours I was in this world.
Trying to ignore the awkwardness, I just nodded casually.
'I definitely need to know more about this royalty nonsense if I need to survive here'
Sir Edward, what brings you here at this hour?" One of the guard spoke with a respectful tone.
I'm heading to the ceremony,"i replied hoping they didn't ask anymore question.
The guards exchanged glances making me uncomfortable then the second guard shook his head.
I'm afraid that is not possible, Sir Edward."
I blinked."What?"
"As the son of the Arkwright family," the guard explained calmly, "you must attend the ceremony alongside the Imperial Princesses."
I froze completely stunned by this mew information.
Wait.
WHAT?
Why is my role suddenly so important?!
I had assumed I was just some
background character But apparently the Arkwright family who was MY FAMILY had a ceremonial role.
There was nothing thing like that in the script.
Why they didn't tell me bullshit.
'This was bad extremely bad news'
If i stayed here, I would be forced to appear with the princesses.
Which meant—
More interactions.
More chances to mess up the story.
I needed a way out fast and furious.
I forced a casual smile on my face and tried to find a excuse.
"I only wanted to go ahead and make sure everything was prepared."
The guards didn't move.
One of them shook his head politely.
"The Magic Tower is one of the safest places in the empire, Sir Edward."
"Nothing will happen."
Well that was a stupid bullshit of my part since I the game I knew that the Magic Tower was literally impossible to take down.
But I tried again
"I'm sure, but—"
"Tradition is tradition."
"Tsk damn it" I tsiked as i cursed under my breath.
I have literally no option but to stay here and follow the royal script and I couldn't force the passage.
I was too weak.
Just as I resigned myself a voice echoed beside me.
"What is happening here?"
The two guards immediately dropped to one knee surprising me.
"Princess!"
The surprise was a little time as I felt cold sweat slide down my back at their word.
'Princess…?Please don't let it be the Second Princess.'
Slowly i turned around waiting the worse.
Then I immediately relaxed as i see who it was.
It was the first princess Anastasia Aurelia.
Her long silver hair shimmered under the sunlight with his golden eyes she walked toward them with elegant steps.
Wait what she doing here?
"I have asked what was going here" she said with a authoritive tone.
The guards quickly explained the situation.
"Sir Edward requested to enter the Magic Tower ahead of schedule, Your Highness. However, tradition requires the Arkwright family to accompany the imperial royal family member during the ceremony."
The First Princess looked at me then at the guards.she didn't say anything for a second then she spoke calmly.
"I do not recall having an escort from the Arkwright family when it was mine."
The guards fell silent.
Her gaze remained indifferent.
"If Sir Edward wishes to go alone, then he may go alone."
But Your Highness, tradition—"
"I am not interested in hearing another word."
She said with a absolute calm in his voice.
The guard immediately lowered his head not arguing further.
"Yes, Your Highness."
She turned away.
But just before leaving, she spoke again.
"Open the portal."
The guards stood off their knee and began activating the massive door.
Runes ignited along the metal frame.
As the magic mechanism began working, the First Princess walked past me and stopped.
Without looking at him, she spoke quietly.
"my dear sister is looking for you and she seem not happy."
"You cannot run forever." She finished as she walked away again.
I stood there watching her leaving quietly. His word stuck me as I realized something.
'She knew'
The first princess a d the second princess were In constant battle for the throne.
Toward the game they will be major conflicts until one day the second princess just crush her in a duel in one attack.
This wasn't a duel for saying it was just a public humiliation since the second princess didn't moved during it.
'she probably have heard about my conflicts with nyx'
She had many loyal servant too so they surely reported it to her.
She didn't help me for good will she just do it so that I don't have to face her sister for now.
Anyway It was arranging my affair.
Crrrrk
I heard a strange sound and as I looked back the door slowly opened.
Behind them appeared something strange a swirling portal made of stars and light.
It looked like a piece of the night sky had been torn open.
One of the guards spoke.
"Someone will receive you at the Magic Tower."
I nodded.
"Thank you."
Then, after taking a deep breath—i stepped through the portal.
****
The moment i crossed it The world changed my head began to spiral as i arrived inside the Magic Tower.
"God that was horrible" I didn't knew they were bad effect from it.
Reality vs game is something else.
I looked before me and for a moment I forgot how to breath.
The interior of the tower was enormous.
A colossal spiral structure stretched endlessly upward like a cosmic staircase.
Floating platforms connected different layers of the tower, each carved with glowing runic circles.
Entire sections of space seemed folded inside the tower, as if dimensions had been bent to create more room.
Rivers of magical energy flowed through the air like streams of light.
And far above…
The ceiling looked like an infinite galaxy.
I stared in silence for a great second.
And again seeing something in a game and seeing it on your own eyes was completely different.
"…This is insane."
A voice suddenly spoke behind him.
"Your reaction is understandable."
I turned around a man wearing deep blue robes stood there.
Golden runes were embroidered across his sleeves, marking him as a member of the Magic Tower.
"Welcome to the Magic Tower." The mage said with a polite smile.
I nodded and instinctively recited the traditional greeting.
Where knowledge ascends beyond the sky, and truth illuminates the world."
The mage blinked in surprise.
"Impressive."
"Very few people outside the Tower know that incantation."
I stepped back a little with a little fear.
'Wait… what?
I just read that in a lore book!'
The mage studied him curiously.
"May I know your name?"
Edward Arkwright."
The mage's expression changed instantly.
"Ah…"
Understanding appeared on his face.
"I see now."
I tilted my head.
'See what's?'
"You must be here for the ceremony" thebmage continued calmly and he looked behind me.
"But… where are the princesses?"
I coughed lightly.
"This time it's… a special situation."
"They should arrive soon."
"I see."Then the mage gestured forward.
"Please follow me."
I followed him deeper into the tower.
As i walked beneath the glowing runes and swirling magical energy, i glanced toward the distant ceiling.
It looked like a ceiling made for studying star but i knew that they were watching me right now.