Chapter 1.5 — The Orphanage: Do I know you!?

  — — —

  I had no words…

  — — —

  — — —

  No—wait. I do have words. Actually, I have many words. However…

  They’re not something someone like me should utter, especially out in the open!

  But the temptation is just way, I mean… waaaay—too strong!!

  The woman towering over me puffed smoke into the air. That sinister smile still lingering on her face. I recognized her ropes: simple white cloth embroidered with faint silver sigils. The typical attire of an Initiate Acolyte.

  From that alone, anyone would think she belonged to the Temple Order.

  Or—that's how it's supposed to look from the outside!

  You see… this person.

  She’s someone I know from the game.

  The orphanage's headmaster formerly known as…

  The Holy Sage—Tessaria Mari Dorfmund.

  It’s one thing seeing her pixelated form on a screen… but gazing upon her in real life. Not only does the game utterly fail to capture her beauty, but her entire demeanor is completely different!?

  In the game she’s just a generic NPC; sweet, kind, giving the player early fetch quests for the orphanage, stuff like: go collect herbs, or kill some slimes. I know—Exciting, right?

  But now—seeing her in all her splendid, tall, slender, long braided silver hair, green eyed, chimney-smoking glory…

  She’s making me feel things a young man shouldn't. Especially towards his senior!!

  — — —

  But… that said—

  I was getting serious femme fatale vibes. She kept her gaze fixed on me as she spoke to Mr. Glasses, and I cursed my circumstances—frustrated at not being able to understand.

  After a brief moment, she once again turned her body toward me. This time, however, her sharp gaze had softened, and she bowed. I was taken aback by the gesture—

  almost tripping over myself as I tried to bow in return.

  Flustered, I forced an awkward smile.

  Get a grip Leo, Now is not the time to lose your head. Even if she feels a bit off,

  I should know her well enough… I think—or at least I hope so.

  But one thing was for sure…

  I had truly been transported into that stupid game!

  ***

  “Please take a seat.” Tessaria said to her guest, she spoke softly and with authority.

  Simon nodded and gestured for Leo to take a seat. Leo couldn't help but look around her office, it was filled with artifacts and magical tools. His eyes shimmered with excitement, so much so that Tessaria chuckled at his reaction.

  While observing the boy, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Simon.

  “Tessaria, can I count on you?” he said while correcting his glasses.

  She didn't answer immediately, but with a childish-displeased expression.

  She raised her finger, as if she's about to scold him.

  “Now, now… what's with all the formalities? I thought we're friends Simon?”

  She waved her index finger, as if to correct a misbehaved child.

  Simon's expression remained unchanged. Slightly lowering his head to the floor,

  he let out a small cough.

  Then his gaze met hers, “this is an official visit. So I believe formalities are in order?”

  She furrowed her brows, letting out a small sigh.

  “Of course I know that… but would it kill you, to just call me Tess?

  You’re the only one in this entire village who still uses my full name!!

  It's weird—you know!” She puffed her cheeks in protest.

  His eyes looked to the side, then moved to the opposite side, as if he had a hard time processing the entire exchange.

  “Hmm… fine, I'll try then.” he said somewhat defeated.

  “Good,” she said, bringing her hands together, gesturing him to continue.

  Simon cleared his throat, “Yes, well as you know we need to…”

  “No, not that” she interrupted him mid sentence.

  “Ehh?” he said looking stumped.

  “You promised to say it, so say it now!” she said with determination in her eyes.

  Confused, he looked around the room, trying to find solace… but to no avail,

  He looked at the boy—of course… he's just as lost as Simon is.

  He took a deep breath, and with a serious tone, “do i really have to?”

  With a sharp look in her eyes, she replied.

  “Yes, yes you have to.”

  “Fine, I guess Tessaria… I mean… Te… Tess!”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Good—that's a start,” she said with a big smile.

  She then turned toward her desk. Her expression changed into that of curiosity as she gazed at the boy. Slowly she leaned forward bringing her hands together in contemplation, suddently—her demeanor became serious.

  “I can see why you are coming to me… his clothes do resemble that of high class nobles, but—i've never seen anything like what he's wearing?”

  She paused for a moment. Her hands tighten as she seems deep though.

  “What you said, are you absolutely sure he was abandoned?"

  Simon glanced at Leo… he then shook his head.

  “No… I can't say anything conclusive. There’s an equal chance he got lost, was forgotten, was kidnapped or even some other unforeseen event that could have placed him in the plains?”

  “All I know.. Is that he was on those plains alone?” he explained while correcting his glasses.

  ———

  “I see… very concerning indeed, and what about his family? You said Grey tried to find his family? Has anything come up yet?”

  “Nothing new yet—Grey is meeting with the village chief. Jen is traveling to the nearest village to see if she can come up with a clue, and I'll—ask my family.

  “Ohh… you are going that far?” her expression, surprised.

  “Finding his family should only be a matter of time,” he said while slightly lowering his head—unsureness, slowly creeping into his voice.

  Tess leaned back into her chair, and took out a stick shaped item. She then rested it between her fingers, lighting it. Before long she puffed up a cloud of smoke into the air.

  “I see—so what do you want me exactly to do?” Leaning forward, teasing him.

  Seriously… she's gonna make me beg? He thought, placing his palm on his forehead, massaging the bulging vein.

  “Hahaha… relax, Simon! I'm just kidding around,” her laughter filled the room, tears streaming down her eyes.

  The sudden outburst made Leo jump in his seat—

  confused about what had just transpired? He was surprised by how much more expressive she was in real life.

  He remembered how calm she always was in the game—not even cracking a joke. Somehow… This version of her was a breath of fresh air.

  Leo's eyes then wandered to Mr. Glasses, who didn't seem to appreciate her outburst, his eyebrows knitting in disapproval.

  She raised her hands in surrender and backed away into her seat.

  “Ahh… I'm just joking. Don’t worry—I'll make sure to keep him safe,

  ”she said, trying to reassure him.”

  Tess knew better than anyone not to anger a noble, even a former one. She cleared her throat and elegantly straightened her back.

  “I fully understand. You don't want anyone to know about him yet,

  since you want to avoid unnecessary scandals.”

  Simon nodded and took something out of his pouch, holding it firmly,

  as he contemplated its meaning.

  “Tessaria… I mean—Tess. “Something—is off.” He paused then continued:

  “The reason I didn't tell you about this is because—I have absolutely no idea what it means?”

  Tess's brow drew together. She'd known him for years; if he’s this uncertain,

  it can't be ignored. “Can you elaborate?”

  “It's the plains… there is no way he could go there by himself.

  The nearest village is too far for him to walk,

  and if he was kidnapped—or worse, abandoned by his family—”

  He paused—fist tightening. “It just makes no sense.”

  Tess was taken aback; Simon's flustered reaction was unusual.

  He straightened his back, revealing his tall stature, she could feel hesitation in his movement.

  “But besides that, I looked for clues with Jen and Grey.” He adjusted his glasses.

  “We found nothing, no traces of horses, nor carriage, footprints.

  Completely clean. To cover all angles, I even used a Crystal Gauge,

  to trace the flow of Manaflux in the area.”

  Simon paused to recall the event. Then opened his palm, revealing the device.

  The moment Tess saw it, her eyes winded. The Crystal looked… wrong

  “Wait, are you saying this incident was caused by magic?”

  Simon went silent, “I only used the Crystal Gauge to be thorough, but the results are unnatural or more precisely unreadable."

  She leaned in closer. “Unreadable how?”

  “The Manaflux it measured shattered the Grandelix level—far beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Even in top tier cases, it rarely spikes above the Nobelix level.

  Tensions rose, Tess gritting her teeth, while tingly gripping her chair it creaked.

  Like a rocket, she shot upright.

  “WHAAATT… IT DID WHAT YOU SAY!?”

  Leo's eyes went wide, his image of her shattered.

  Is this really the same sweet and innocent Tessaria?

  Shocked and relieved, he felt somewhat conflicted… he wasn't in love with her, but this version could end him in his sleep.

  ———

  Simon began to calm her down.

  “Yes I know, we had the same reaction when it first happened.

  Remember you are still the headmaster—so pull yourself together.”

  “Yes, yes of course,” Tess exhaled, composed herself.

  She sat down slowly, glancing at the boy.

  “When you earlier told me that a mysterious boy had appeared out of nowhere?

  I was intrigued… you almost gave me a heart attack!”

  “Yes, sorry about that,” he said apologetically.

  She sighed, “since you detected high tier magic, could it be a Gate Line accident?”

  Simon paused, thinking for a moment, “No, something like that could not happen since Gate Lines only connect to fixed travel points. However, in theory, it might be possible but unlikely.”

  Clearing his throat, “looking at all the evidence, I cannot explain his existence?”

  Simon placed his palm on the boy's shoulder, “Grey, Jen and I, we need more time, can I count on you?”

  Tess knew she couldn't refuse, however her interest had only grown,

  “of course, I'll make sure he's taken care of. In fact the scroll is already made.”

  “Huh?” Simon was taken aback by her efficiency. “Isn't it too early for that?”

  A smug smile formed on Tess's lips. “No… I knew if you had not found any clue about his identity, it would take more time than usual.”

  She then pulled out a piece of paper, placing it on the desk.

  “I prepared it just in case, this way he won't have problems moving around”

  Simon nodded, “I see, thank you Tess.”

  He looked at the boy and gestured to him to stay with Tess.

  The tension in the room seemed to finally have subsided,

  I was lost in their conversation, but the tension—was heavy.

  However now it finally seems to be over and I can relax. Mr. Glasses stood up and I followed suit. But he gestured something.

  I think he wants me to stay with her?

  I nodded, he finished speaking with Tess and went out.

  For a moment I was confused, then remembered—I’d regressed into a child, so of course I would be left in the orphanage. Before I could facepalm myself Tess said something to me, gesturing to put my hand on the paper.

  Looking closely I recognized what it was. Wait, this scroll's design looks exactly like the ‘choose a name’ menu from the game?

  Tess, sensing my hesitation, placed her hand on the scroll to reassure me.

  A warm blissful feeling filled my chest. Ahh there she is, the sweet, kind Tess I knew from the game.

  As I was daydreaming, she took my hand, placing it on the scroll—then she spoke.

  In that moment heat emerged from the scroll, forming a ring of spinning flames.

  She removed my hand, letters burned away and the flame ring scaled towards the middle. Next thing I knew a bright light emerged forming what looked like a dog-tag.

  In the game you could either use the default name or make a custom one, the scroll was essentially that, but without me actually choosing the name.

  Confused, I looked at the dog-tag. I must have been staring at it for too long,

  Tess grabbed it, placing it around my neck.

  From the game I knew, this tag was equivalent to having a passport.

  She then held up the tag, and read aloud. I still couldn't understand, and I definitely couldn't read the tag yet. But just hearing her sweet voice filled me with joy.

  It's hard to believe how different she was moments ago… but I can't drop my guard around her—knowing her secret.