Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: New Identity
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The grand archmage's antics at the tavern came to a relatively quick end.
"Ha... hahaha... That's a really funny joke..."
The tavern owner looked like he was in quite the predicament—no one could deny it—and after one brave customer reported it, guards stormed into Veil's place.
"Ex-excuse me, but could I see your identification for just a moment... Hiiik!"
"I-I just made one little joke... that's all..."
Of course, the guards showing up didn't result in Sion getting arrested by them or any bloody chaos from wreaking havoc in the shop.
The guards, recognizing Sion, wisely avoided acting rashly, and Sion wasn't the type who refused to listen to reason like people imagined.
To be more precise, it wasn't that she ignored reason; she just hated starting conversations.
In any case, Sion's escapade at Veil's Rest wrapped up for the moment, and as things started getting noisy around her, she slipped away carefully and returned to her room.
...
...
Even after enduring the humiliation of being briefly held by the guards at Veil's Rest, the achievement still hadn't unlocked.
Judging from past experience, that achievement probably required the other person to laugh genuinely because they found it hilarious.
The people before and the tavern staff hadn't laughed because my jokes were funny—they'd forced it—which was why it didn't trigger.
"Why do I keep failing? Are my jokes really that unfunny?"
I thought they were hilarious, but maybe the humor here is a bit... off-kilter?
As I sprawled on the bed, chewing over the latest flop, Lily's scolding rang out as always.
"Are you seriously asking that, Sion?"
But this time, I had a retort ready.
"Of course I am. You'd crack up if you heard it. So, a brother and sister are fighting, and it's all on the little sister..."
I unleashed my killer joke from Veil's Rest on Lily too...
"...?"
Wow, Lily.
You've reached the point where your face does the talking.
It was clearly saying, 'Are you seriously calling that funny, Sion?'
Lily's reaction confirmed it: this world's sense of humor was different from mine.
[Sion! Know what the most wronged shape in existence is?]
[...What?]
[It's the cylinder! 'Cause it's so pitiful! Hahahahaha!]
[...Ugh, seriously...]
Come to think of it, that hero punk had hit me with dud jokes like that multiple times.
Now that I reflected, those might actually land well with Rilteia folk.
"Oh, right—by the way, Sion, the Magic Tower old fogeys sent a letter."
"A letter?"
The ones Lily called "old fogeys" were always the same.
The Magic Tower Masters.
"What's their deal? They never bother me usually..."
"Probably the regular masters' meeting minutes. You're a master on paper, so they're sharing for inclusion's sake."
"Whoa, time for that already?"
On the surface, I was one of the Magic Tower Masters.
Of course, it was basically honorary—I didn't touch student lectures or academic research at all.
Instead of my involvement, they waived all duties and responsibilities from me.
That was the deal I'd struck with the Magic Tower.
[It's been too long, Grand Archmage who awakened the Moon's Truth.]
[The 2038th Regular Stars' Meeting has concluded.]
[Agenda items totaled 21, of which...]
Lily and I started skimming the letter half-heartedly.
"Why do they send meeting summaries every time? They know I won't read them."
"A scheme to spark your interest. Those fogeys want you fully in the Magic Tower fold."
It wasn't remotely interesting—just twice-yearly spam to me, honestly.
Just as reading it felt like a total time sink...
[Also, a few agenda items on Luna were raised, though sparingly.]
"Hoo? Says there are items about you too, Sion."
Eh?
"About me?"
[Some residents, dissatisfied with Luna's recent activities, have lodged formal complaints via the Magic Tower.]
[We'll handle all related grievances cleanly, so Luna, worry not.]
"Uh... Lily... this is probably..."
"Obvious, right? Your recent 'unfunny quest-chasing' wanderings."
My only recent activity? Wandering to unlock achievements.
"No way... I just asked directions, chatted a little... tossed a few jokes. That bad?"
"If a head-to-toe shrouded figure with a creepy voice does it? Yeah, plenty scary, Sion."
Wait—whose side are you on?
"Lily... you're supposed to back me up...!"
"Sorry, Sion, but not this time."
I wanted to argue Lily was wrong, but...
"The mask you started to dodge stares? Now it's pulling them in."
Truth was, Lily nailed what I'd been mulling over lately too.
I wore the mask and mangled my voice because it was the fastest way to sidestep people.
Face hidden—no gaze worries. Voice creepy—no drawn-out chats.
It'd been seamless until achievements flipped the script.
"This'll be a massive roadblock to quests. Especially this one."
Who laughs carefree before a psycho who could one-shot them?
"So what now... ditch the mask?"
No ready fix came to mind, though.
Me, already gaze-averse, exposing my long-secret identity?
"Hard pass..."
It'd dominate continent chatter—no outings for ages.
Couldn't go out? Fine otherwise. But no achievements? Major hassle.
"Yeah, you despise spotlight like it's poison."
Lily got it, dropping the reveal-identity push.
"Then just craft a brand-new identity."
Eh—not backing off?
"New identity?"
Lily's out-of-left-field idea blanked my brain a sec.
And yeah, I saw how killer it'd be.
Biggest achievement blocks? Two: my chat-dodging personality, and my notoriety.
New identity per Lily? Zeros out the second perfectly.
But—
"Th-then the mask..."
"Yep, time to trash that lame mask."
This mask? Basically Grand Archmage Sion's trademark.
New identity journey or not, keeping it kills the point.
"Th-then a different mask..."
Sure, shape-swap hacks exist, but...
"Sion."
Lily stayed resolute.
"Who chats up a mask who won't even show their face?"
Not for today—for the long game, masks were my poison.
"Quests galore left. Really wanna go home? Gut it out, Sion."
Couldn't spit 'don't wanna show my face' at that.
"Lily..."
She was pushing 'cause she wanted my real goal.
"Fine. No mask."
"Smart call, Sion."
I took Lily's pitch.
Not as rumor-plagued, unexplainable Grand Archmage Sion.
Face bare, voice normal—new identity achievement hunt.
Direct face-time with folks? Crushing pressure for me.
But for home... I'd face my flaws head-on.
"Anyway, new identity prep—how, Sion?"
"Eh?"
...Good question?
...
...
[Estella, got a sec?]
[Luna? Anytime—speak freely.]
[A favor.]
[Honored.]
[Can you admit a new mage to the Magic Tower?]
[Luna's rec? Absolutely. Who's the lucky one?]
[Same activity freedom as me for them.]
[Hmm... Tricky, Luna. Other masters'll gripe.]
[My disciple.]
[...]
[No good?]
[Got it. Luna's disciple? Magic Tower welcomes gladly.]
...
...
"Hear that? That's the word."
"Who? Wait, Magic Tower got a newbie? Master's disciple?"
Did I screw up?
"New admit—master's disciple, they say."
"No kidding? That cutie?"
Thought normal-mage disguise dodges spotlight...
"Yeah, past special admits were all monsters. Her..."
"Totally my type... Hit her up?"
Somehow more eyes than before.
"Quit it—if masters spot you, Tower boot."
"Fortune favors the bold. Watch."
"Lunatic."
Lily...
This...
Reeks of epic fail.
For real.