Eight Years Later: Life in the Port Town Hideaway
Eight years had flown by in the blink of an eye. After drifting from place to place, I'd finally settled in Glenlivet, a remote port town in the southern reaches of the empire.
"Quiet as ever today."
I propped my chin on my hand and let out a massive yawn that nearly unhinged my jaw. The same monotonous routine day in, day out. Looking back now, those three months with Ashu felt truly dynamic.
...And the status window hasn't worked since.
The distance to the current target is too far for interaction.
It had been stuck like this ever since the day I parted from Ashu. The silver lining was that I could still use appearance alteration to some degree.
...Just the face, though.
It really felt like basic disguise magic. Glancing in the mirror, my hair had shifted from white to blue. Ditching the uniform for regular clothes, I didn't look anything like Ideal anymore.
...But anyone who knew me would spot me in a heartbeat.
It wasn't perfect camouflage. I felt totally scammed. I'd gone all out relying on this skill, and now it backstabbed me!!
And my senses all over my body have gone dull.
The possession condition for Ideal's body was a 30% drop in life force, right? It felt like all my nerve cells had been shaved down. I'd suffered for months because of it. My sharp senses had been sanded blunt, like they'd been rubbed with sandpaper. Intense pain or pleasure barely registered anymore.
Still, maybe I got off cheap. In the worst case, I'd thought I'd lose one sense permanently.
"...He said he'd find me no matter what."
I pouted. Eight whole years. Not eight months—eight years. Sure, I'd run like hell, but I'd figured Ashu could track me down.
...I wonder how the main story's unfolding now.
The protagonist should be entering the Academy soon, kicking off the real plot. Without me—the main black curtain—there, how would the tale play out?
My disciple's probably made tons of friends by now, right?
If he hadn't found me after all this time, he'd clearly forgotten me. It stung a little, but back then, it was the best choice for both of us.
"Hey, innkeeper! I'm here."
I was tapping my fingers on the counter, lost in a vague heaviness, when the creaky door screeched open. A burly woman strode in.
"Ah, Rudmila!"
"Business as dead as ever today."
"...That's the first thing you say?"
"Haha!! Sorry, teasing you is just too fun."
Right. For now, I was the proprietor of this inn. I'd scraped together every coin I had to open it, but it was full of dust instead of guests. Still, after years here, even a shut-in like me had made a few friends. One was Rudmila, standing right in front of me.
But seriously, was this place gonna go under?
...At least the food business is booming.
Thanks to Korean dishes and Chupa Chups? Especially those lollipops—they were a hit with the easterners in this heat. The spicy pork stir-fry was popular too. Some claimed it was my figure and face, but pure nonsense. Everyone praised the food itself.
...Come to think of it, I promised to make some for my disciple.
Damn, thinking of Ashu again. I shook my head side to side to scatter the thoughts.
"—Spicy pork stir-fry again today?"
"Obviously!"
Rudmila boomed with laughter, thumping her chest. Her massive breasts jiggled accordingly.
...Guess even that doesn't faze me anymore.
With my senses dulled, all desires felt muted.
...Definitely not because I've lived as a woman too long.
I still liked women. Liking men? Unthinkable. No matter how long I'd been in Ideal's body, my sexual identity was male. Sure, I ate a lot of cakes and cookies lately, but that was just for energy replenishment!
For some reason, I grabbed a glass of cold water for my parched throat. The chill soothed my heated insides.
"By the way, innkeeper. Ever thought about marriage?"
"—Pfft!"
I barely swallowed without spitting. Rudmila grinned, flashing her pearly whites.
"Why not? Got a nice guy nearby—want me to introduce you?"
"N-No thanks."
"You always freak out at marriage talk. Time to think about your age—others your age already have kids!"
"I-I'm fine, really...!!"
Kids? What nonsense. It felt like steam was blasting from every pore. Me having a baby? Impossible to imagine.
"...Or do you have a secret beau tucked away? Our heavenly lady innkeeper?"
"Wh-What?!"
I slammed the table in disbelief. I was a man. The words welled up to my throat but sank back down with my saliva. So frustrating I could scream.
But a beau... Not exactly, but there was someone I was waiting for. Someone I hoped would never find me, yet secretly longed to see. My disciple.
...Hope he's doing well.
If our precious boy's temper hadn't mellowed, he'd cause a huge scene at the Academy. Well, with Byrn around, he'd be fine.
"Can't talk, huh? Guess there is someone."
Rudmila smirked mischievously. I plunked down a heavy plate in front of her raccoon-like grin.
"Whoa, you scared me!"
"Lunch is served. Eat up."
"You're too touchy, you know?"
Rudmila scooped up a big bite of pork stir-fry. Watching her cheeks puff out as she chewed made my lips twitch involuntarily.
"Rudmila, you're getting sauce on your face."
I wiped the sauce from her mouth with my finger. She parted her lips slightly. My index finger slipped in on a puff of hot breath. She sucked it with a smack. Smiling at my clean finger.
"...Y-You."
"Hm?"
Her voice sounded feverish. Looking up, her face was flushed red.
"Sigh, if I'd been born a man. I wouldn't let you get away."
"Wh-What're you talking about?"
"Never mind. Too pure and dumb for you to get."
"Huh...?"
"It's innate, you vixen."
"Wh-What?!?!"
She'd wolfed down the whole plate and patted her belly.
"Here's for the food. I'm off!"
"W-Wait...!!"
No chance to stop her—she bolted from the inn. In the sudden quiet, I awkwardly withdrew my hand.
...Where the hell do I come off as a vixen?
Her words made zero sense.
"Huff, huff."
Sihan spat ragged breaths, gripping his sword tightly.
"Tch...!!"
His attacks wouldn't land. It felt like swinging at empty air. Sihan bit his lip hard.
"Tired already? Sihan Kan Hart."
An icy voice pierced his eardrums. Ashu Kan Hart aimed his sword at him with casual poise.
"Not yet...!!"
Sihan stomped the ground with a shout. His calves tensed like coiled springs. Boom—!! Air burst as his body shot forward like a bullet.
"Not bad."
Ashu raised his sword. Then thrust straight at the charging Sihan—like he'd seen through his every move. Sihan's eyes widened at the piercing strike.
"Ngh—!!"
He tried to veer off, but momentum made it impossible. His only choice: block forcibly.
Bang!!
A roar echoed, dust billowing like smoke. Moments later, it parted like a curtain rising.
"Th-The winner—"
The announcer faltered. As visibility cleared fully, he gulped and continued.
Ashu stood unscathed, sword in hand, expression relaxed. Sihan, battered, clenched his empty fists in frustration. Ashu's victory was plain.
"Ashu Kan Hart!!"
Ashu approached, offering a hand. Sihan sighed, taking it.
"Gotta train harder."
"Damn monster."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Sihan crossed his arms with a sigh.
"So, where to this time?"
His glare brimmed with resentment. Fair enough—Ashu had been scouring the land for Ideal for five years, leaving all ducal duties to him.
"Ideal's innocence is proven. Byrn quashed the old wanted poster. At this point... "
"...Enough."
Sihan's words died under Ashu's cold gaze.
"...Sorry."
"Just know it."
"Sigh... So where now? Academy entrance is three months away. You know that?"
"I do."
His indifferent tone creased Sihan's brow with veins.
All nobles had to graduate the Academy. The ducal house was already gossip fodder; Ashu skipping would stir more trouble. Ideal, who'd raised him, seemed miraculous.
"...So, where?"
"The south. Empire's south."
"Starting where?"
"Glenlivet. Remote port town at the southern tip, they say."
Ashu licked his lips. His blue eyes sank into a sticky abyss.
...Eight years.
From the moment you left, I couldn't forget for a second. I'd torn through the empire, but no trace. Like you were hiding from me on purpose.
Ashu fiddled with his white scarf. Frayed after years, but irreplaceable.
...Master. If I find you.
You won't escape again.