The hum of the classroom brings me to a dazed state of consciousness. One fueled by a mix of staying up late, eating a large pot pie, and the fact that this is Math class. More boring than History and definitely more boring than Literature class. I mean, it’s a bunch of numbers, letters, and symbols that don’t really make any sense. Also, how am I supposed to explain why x=3? It just does.

  As I continue to complain, I watch as Professor Keller draws out a mathematical proof on the chalkboard. Honestly, when did math start to include letters? What’s wrong with simple addition and subtraction? Sure, I can’t use multiplication and division and whatever that other thing is called, but I don’t really need to know it.

  “Chosen One, what’s the answer for B?” Professor Keller asks.

  With a large yawn, I look at the proof, and suddenly a wide array of information flows through my mind. “33 Degrees,” I answer.

  The professor nods his head in agreement. “Correct. Everyone should study as The Chosen One does. This information is important,” he states.

  How did I know the answer to that? It’s like all the steps to solve the question suddenly appeared in my mind, or rather, the memory of Professor Keller explaining how to solve it. I could’ve sworn I wasn’t paying any attention, and I definitely don’t know how to… Wait. I look through the textbox at random problems. With each question, the steps to solve it appear in my mind in an easy-to-understand way. Everything we’ve gone through in Math class so far, I can understand, but only the things we’ve learned.

  What could’ve caused this? My natural intellect. Yeah right. Hmm. Closing my eyes, I bring up my [Stat Window].

  Well, now everything makes sense. My [INT] has gone up along with a bunch of other things. I guess I haven’t checked this in a while. So, if 5 is average, then 12 must be up there. At least enough for me to understand how math works and probably other smaller things I haven’t noticed. Also, wow, my [LCK] is up there now.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  My eyes then drift to my MP. I need magic. I got all this MP, but nothing to use it on. Well, the portable magic oven uses most of it up anyway. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. I’ll worry about it later. In the meantime, I’ll just check up on my [Stat Window] more often. Don’t want to be surprised by something new during combat.

  My thoughts are interrupted as Garus places his desk across from mine. Looking around me, everyone has paired up and seems to be working on the problem that’s on the board. It’s just my luck that Garus, the human who tried to jump me in the woods, sits in front of me.

  “Afternoon,” I say cordially.

  He responds with an eye roll.

  Without his little henchmen around, he seems scrawnier than usual. It might be the pale skin and black hair, but he also seems sickly. Odd, but now that I’m looking at him, he looks almost familiar. Have I seen him before?

  As we work on the problem, I start to probe for information. “So, do you often threaten people in the woods, or am I special?” I say with a playful tone.

  “Don’t talk to me, Devil,” Garus says with a hint of venom.

  “Again with the Devil talk. You know I wouldn’t expect that from the son of an Archduke. You’d think you would be a little more dignified.”

  His eyes flick up from the question. “You speak well, Devil, but I won’t be swayed. You’re a betrayer and always will be. Nothing you do will change that,” he says.

  “Hmm, okay,” I say with a wink.

  Seemingly angered by my wink, he meets my gaze. “Just because these people cheer your name and fall for your charm doesn’t mean they don’t think the same. They’re just too cowardly to say it out loud. You’d be an idiot to think otherwise,” he says with an odd amount of venom.

  “Is that what they think about you?” I say with a sad smile.

  “What?”

  “I know these people don’t accept me. They give me odd looks, and I can hear them whispering about me. I’m no idiot, but you’re the same. I’ve noticed the way you surround yourself with people who praise you. It’s hard not to notice. Do you think they actually care about you, or is it because you're the son of the Archduke?”

  Graus sits there speechless.

  “I don’t think you’re an idiot either. I’m sure you’ve noticed. It’s why you lash out at me, isn't it? It’s ‘okay’ to say those things to me because everyone secretly agrees, but you don’t actually hate me. You barely know me. You hate yourself and how weak you feel. You wish that someone actually liked you, not the son of the Archduke, but you,” I say as I finish up the problem.

  Raising my hand, I watch as Professor Keller walks over. “Already done?” the professor asks.

  “Yes, we’re done,” I say, handing the paper to the professor. “A piece of advice, Graus. Stop surrounding yourself with yes men. They’ll abandon you before you know it,” I say, walking away.

  As I leave the classroom, I slow down. Fuck, why’d I have to do that? It must be because I’m tired, or maybe I let him get to me. It would be a lie to say that I haven’t been on my toes since I got here. On the streets, people are more upfront about what they think, but this place is… odd. Let's go to the greenhouse. That’ll relieve some stress.

  Watering the plants, I feel a sense of relief wash over me, which is quickly interrupted by a [System Message].

  That honestly took longer than I thought it would. The way things [Level Up] are odd. Some [Skills] grow faster than others, but that probably has to do with the life and death situation I’m in when that happens. Is there any way for me to use [Gardening] in a life and death situation? Maybe I could fight some plant monster. That could count.

  The door to the greenhouse slams open as a familiar Dwarf walks in. Red beard, white plate armor, and an annoyed look.

  “Hello, David. It’s odd to see you during the day,” I joke as I inspect a fire lily.

  “Chosen One. We’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Have you not been getting our letters?” David asks.

  I think back on the last couple of days. I do remember getting some letters, which I promptly burned for kindling. Why would I open letters from someone I don’t know?

  “No, sadly, I didn’t see any,” I [Lie].

  “Well, that’s why I came down personally to talk to you,” he says.

  “Lovely.”

  “It has to do with the child of the Sands that you sent to the cathedral,” he says.

  “Oh, yeah. How is Mateo?” I ask, putting down the watering can.

  “We would like to know why you sent him to us?” David says in an almost accusatory tone.

  “That’s simple. The Pope said that if I needed anything, I should stop by the cathedral. I needed something, so I sent you Mateo. Does that clear everything up?” I say, knowing full well it doesn’t.

  “We are taking care of the child, but we would like to know why you have sent him to us,” he says a bit more forcefully.

  “I think the first part of your statement answers the second. I want you to take care of him.”

  “Why have you taken an interest in this child?” David asks more clearly this time.

  “Oh, why didn’t you say so? He’s my younger brother,” I [Lie].

  “What? He looks noth-”

  “It’s crazy how similar we look, considering we have different fathers, but he’s still near and dear to my heart. I hope you’ve been treating him with the respect he deserves,” I interrupt.

  “He’s your brother? You haven’t come to see him once. Are you sure that you’re that close?” David says, doubting me.

  Taking a deep breath, I shout over to the gloomy Helia. “Helia, I’m heading out early! Make sure to water the legumes! I’ll see you tomorrow!” I yell.

  Helia, who’s wilting in the corner, nods her head in acknowledgment.

  “Where are you going?” David asks.

  “To see my younger brother, obviously. Now, which way is the cathedral?” I state the obvious.

  David grumbles to himself as he leads the way to the cathedral. Which isn’t that far of a walk from here. In fact, we would’ve gotten there sooner if it weren’t for the snow.

  Walking up to the doors of the cathedral, I stop and look up at its towering figure. Damn, this place is big and really blue. As I think David waits for me to open the door. He’s probably waiting to see if I burst into flames the moment I enter. That’s just an old wives' tale. I’ve been in churches before, and I’ve yet to burst into flames.

  Pulling open the doors, I scream out in pain, scaring the armor off of David. “Just kidding,” I say with a wink.

  David grumbles as he follows close behind me. The inside sprawls out before me as if taunting me to steal from it. Beautiful stained glass windows that I know I could sell for good money. Magic lanterns that I could strip for parts. This place is filled with money-making opportunities. It’s a shame that I can’t afford to take the heat right now.

  Thinking I watch as Mateo runs between the pews as he is chased by a gaggle of nuns. There’s my ‘brother’.

  “Leave me alone, you hags! I will not be forced to take another so-called bath,” Mateo yells in the language of the Sands.

  “Hey, kid. I see you’re settling in nicely,” I say sarcastically.

  David and the nuns give me an odd look as if I had spoken blasphemy. Guess they didn’t expect The Chosen One to speak the language of the Sands.

  “Horned one, I’ve been waiting for you. Tell these incessant hags that I don’t need to take a bath every day,” he says, hiding behind me.

  “Apologies for my brother. He doesn’t like taking baths, but I hope you can bathe him every day. Maybe even twice a day so that he can get used to it,” I say.

  “Did you tell them?” he asks.

  “Yeah. Now, I’m going to need a favor from you.”

  Mateo eyes me with suspicion. “What do you want, Horned one?” he asks.

  “I need you to pretend to be my brother. It’s the only way these people will let you stay here,” I whisper.

  Mateo mulls it over for a second. “Fine. I can do that, but why do I get the feeling there’s more to this than that?” he asks.

  I give him a smile. “That’s because you’re sharp, kid. I also want you to keep an eye on the people here. Call for me if you see anything suspicious,” I say.

  Mateo nods in acknowledgment.

  An early warning system in the form of Mateo will be great to have if they ever catch on to me. After all, if anybody is going to out me, it’s going to be the church. They know the most about The Chosen One in the Empire. It’d be in my best interest not to stay here for long lest I run into-

  The entire room goes silent as a woman covered head to toe in white silk and gold robes walks into the room. Fuck! That’s the last person I wanted to see. The Holy Maiden.