Chapter 6

C6: False Identity (1)

Photography is not yet popular in this world. Most of the photos exist only in black and white and the quality is not very good, so detailed comparison is impossible.

When comparing people, in the end, they have no choice but to rely on clothes, age, and overall physique. It was not unreasonable that they were mistaken.

'I'm sorry. Mr. Rudger.'

It's a pity for the dead, but that doesn't mean I can die too, right? The living must live.

Rudger's status was very helpful in escaping this situation.

"Unbelievable. You were a new teacher at Theon Academy. The magic I saw back then....."

The moment the name Theon appeared, Veronica's voice toward me changed.

Did she see me using magic? Maybe that's why I gained her trust even more.

Even the officer who was half-doubting me and who was about to interrogate me immediately nodded his head.

"Please forgive me for being rude because of the circumstances."

"It's fine."

Even as I said that, I thought to myself that the name Theon was really great.

The only magic academy that exists in the Empire, and even on the continent, the best academy is Theon.

The name 'Theon' was never taken lightly, and it was natural for them to be surprised when they heard that I was a teacher there.

"You're a Theon teacher."

"At such a young age, that's great."

The other guards and the police also whispered among themselves.

Whatever happened, I decided to act more shamelessly. From this moment, I will become Rudger Chelici.

"I, we will guide you to the exit."

"Fine."

"You are one of those who will nurture the future of the empire, how could we let it go? You were wasting your time because of us."

"It's fine."

"It is because we are sorry."

No, moving with you guys is inconvenient!

I couldn't say those words, so I accepted with a blunt face.

"Ms. Veronica, it was a short meeting, but it was nice."

It was a short meeting, but I don't think it was bad. She smiled and waved her hand at me, perhaps thinking the same thing.

"Yes, Mr. Rudger! See you later if you have time!"

"Yes."

I'm sorry, but I don't think we'll see each other again in the future.

Guided by the guards, I was able to safely escape the crowd to the exit of the train station. It was a train station with a lot of people coming and going, so the exit was also crowded with people.

I opened my mouth thinking that this was it.

"It is enough to have come this far. From here on, I will move on my own. More than that, I feel burdened."

"Ah yes!"

The guard saluted me and then disappeared back into the station.

I greeted him with a light bow, and let out a sigh.

Seriously, it would have been a big mess. I'm glad the other side misunderstood me for a moment, otherwise, my fake identity would have been exposed and I would have been accused of being an accomplice in terrorism.

Now that the emergency is over, I'll be fine.

"Are you Mr. Rudger Chelici?"

At that moment, I could feel my blood freezing coldly at the sound of a voice coming from behind me.

When I slowly turned my head to look back, I saw an old gentleman with a rather stern posture looking at me.

I calmed my startled heart and answered calmly.

"Yes. That's right. Who are you?"

"Hello. My name is Wilford, a user of Theon Academy. I came to meet Mr. Rudger."

"... Do you mean pick up? Me?"

"Yes. I heard that the train was attacked. I came to see you in a hurry to see if something had happened, but I'm really glad that you seem to be okay."

Wilford said so, and he opened the door of the carriage next to him.

"Get in."

"......"

I rolled my eyes. Can I say that I'm the wrong person?

I don't know when that old man named Wilford got here but I'm sure he saw me with the officer. It is practically impossible to pretend that I'm someone else and refuse. Above all else, there was no sign of presence when he first appeared, this man is no ordinary user.

"...Yes."

I had no choice but to get into the carriage.

* * *

Veronica, the deputy commander of the Knights of Cold Steel, remembered the departed Rudger.

'Rudger Chelici.'

From the first time I saw him, I thought he was unusual because I saw him sweeping away all terrorists with pure white flames.

The other knights might not have been able to see well because they were far away, but she was confident that she had better eyesight than the general.

In a situation where he was outnumbered Rudger defeated the opposing wizards easily.

'He's not an ordinary person.'

A simple yet gorgeous black frock coat with a neat suit and golden thread over it, a reticent impression and serious eyes, the long hair slightly pulled back, from the nape of the neck into a ponytail.

Looking closely he seemed like a nobleman with a sharp impression but above all, what stimulated her nerves the most was the spirit that subtly emanated from Rudger.

'At first I thought it was a royal family member who hid his identity.'

The elegance that emanated from Rudger was similar to what Veronica felt when she faced the nobles in the imperial court. So when she was told that Rudger was going to be a teacher at the Theon Academy, she was convinced of his identity.

No, she even thought that even the huge name of Theon would not be a medal for this man. No one marvels at fish swimming well and birds flying through the sky. The same was true for Rudger's position as Theon.

Her strong sense of déjà vu became certain when she heard his name.

'Rudger Chelici, a young wizard with a lot of fame recently. He was the youngest to achieve the fourth rank, submitted 12 papers to the Mato, and even redefined one of the most difficult things: Langerister's formula.'

Other than that, I heard that he had a history of serving as an officer in the military, and it is said that he majored in cryptid hunting.

'My younger brother is attending Thorn. I'll have to ask him how are the classes he's teaching.'

* * *

My plan to run away as soon as I left the train station was thwarted from the start. I didn't expect the academy would send someone directly to pick me up here. I thought it was too much of an exaggeration, but the fact that it was the Theon Academy convinced me again.

If you are a teacher assigned to the best academy in the empire, you will be welcomed wherever you go. Hearing that such high-quality manpower was involved in the terrorist attack, Theon must have been worried.

'It's a big deal.'

I looked inside the carriage.

A soft red chair and colorful patterns around it. No matter how I look at it, it was a carriage that could only be thought of as luxurious. There is almost no vibration even when it's going so fast.

Leading this black chariot was a golem in the form of a steaming horse. It was simply amazing to see this vehicle, one of the latest magical engineering results, made with a half-mix of machine and magic.

Knights don't get old easily just because they age. Rather, the old knights are more dangerous because they have superhuman bodies and years of experience.

'If I try to leave here with an excuse, he'll get suspicious. I can't run away secretly, and even if I succeed, I'll be tracked down as soon as a report comes in.'

A number of other problems arose.

First of all, it is about the identity of Gerard that I used to use. Since this fake identity was effectively treated as dead, it was necessary to create a new identity and that would require a lot of time and money.

Usually I would find a place to stay until I gather information and create a new identity since having lost my existing identity, means I am an illegal immigrant. The absence of an identity is no different from the absence of human rights.

After considering all these possibilities, I decided to give up running away for now.

'For now, I'll not do anything that will make me suspicious.'

First, let's go to Theon Academy. It wouldn't be a bad idea to think about the future there.

When the speed of the fast-moving carriage slowed down, I had a gut feeling that I had finally arrived at the Theon Academy.

As if to prove that, the carriage's front window swung open to the side, and Wilford spoke up.

"Mr. Rudger, we're here."

At Wilford's words, I glanced at the scenery outside the window. The first thing I saw was a grand gate and beyond that was a vast expanse of land. The road for carriages was paved neatly and green trees were evenly planted to the left and right, adding to the refined beauty.

In the dazzling sunlight, the buildings of the Theon Academy shone white.

'Are those the main building, the villa, the park, and the auditorium?'

Apart from the fact that each one was large in scale, it was not possible to estimate exactly how wide the site was.

'Isn't this bigger than any other city?'

The security guard at the front gate opened it immediately and bowed lightly toward us.

Passing through the front door, I could see how much magic was engraved in the vicinity. The number of magic circles stacked on top of each other was so great that the original shape could not be seen.

'Crazy.'

There won't be any big guys coming through the front gate, but if there's really a guy like that, it will turn to dust and disappear in a second.

The place where the steel horse leading the carriage stopped was a building further inside than the main building. Soaring high like a crown, it was truly a magnificent castle.

"It's here. Get off."

As I was about to get my bag, Wilford stopped me.

"We'll come back, so you don't have to carry your luggage with you."

"...Yes."

I got out of the carriage and followed Wilford past the fountain and the beautiful statues into the building. The inside was just as spectacular as the outside.

The light from the glass window spreads like a soft reflection inside, creating a warm color and gently wrapping the skin. A fragrant smell from somewhere tickles my nose, and I hear the chirping of birds. It felt like a dream.

The interior has a refined and neat design, looking like the beautiful architecture of medieval Europe. If the adjacent city Leathervelk has a steampunk atmosphere full of steam, this one is much more focused on fantasy.

-Hahaha.

- Baby, don't do it.

As I went up the stairs along Wilford, users and students in academy uniforms passed me by. Every time they do that, I can hear them having a conversation behind me, so I guess they're gossiping because I look like a country peasant, right?

Eventually, I arrived in front of a large elevator.

"Come this way."

I boarded the elevator with Wilford. I thought it was high from the outside, but seeing it was almost 30 stories high, I was surprised once again.

When the elevator arrived and the door opened, there was a long hallway covered with red carpet and a single door made of wood at the end.

"The President is inside. I will be waiting here."

"Thanks for the guidance."

"It's my job."

I crossed the hallway and stood in front of the door to the president's office. Just as I raised my hand to knock on the door, I heard a languid yet alluring voice from inside.

"Come in."

"......"

I opened the door and went inside.

"Nice to meet you."

A woman sitting at her desk with her back against the window greeted me.

Considering that she has to be a lexer who is at least a 6th rank among the existing 8th ranks to be able to sit in this position, she is an undisputed first-class wizard.

She had just been organizing papers, and was holding a fountain pen in her right hand, put it down aloud and stared at me. Her white hair, flowing down like a curtain, shines even more dazzlingly in the light of the glass window behind her. The hair on the outside is white, but the inside is a two-tone hair that is subtly tinged with pink.

'What.'

The moment her golden eyes turned towards me, I felt an indescribable feeling.

I said in a hard voice, trying to ignore the strange sensation.

"This is Rudger Chelici. The president has called me."

First of all, I am now Rudger Chelici.