False Identity (2)

My plan to escape as soon as I left the train station was disrupted from the very beginning.

I couldn't believe that the academy had sent someone directly to pick me up. It seemed like quite an extravagant gesture, but coming from Seorn Academy, I couldn't help but accept it.

If you're a teacher assigned to the top academy in the empire, you can expect to be treated well wherever you go.

Hearing that such high-caliber personnel were involved in the terrorist attack, Seorn must have been concerned. Sending someone to ensure my comfort was understandable.

"This is quite something."

I glanced inside the carriage.

A plush red chair with vibrant patterns surrounded it. It was undeniably a luxurious carriage. There was minimal shaking, even when it traveled at high speeds.

Pulling the carriage was a golem in the form of a steam-breathing horse—a remarkable sight and a testament to the latest advancements in magical engineering, combining machinery and magic.

But what truly caught my attention was the coachman, Wilford.

I hadn't even noticed him until he approached me. Moreover, beneath his neat attire, he possessed a robust physique that couldn't be concealed.

'My opponent is no ordinary knight.'

Knights don't grow senile with age; on the contrary, they become more vigilant. Their bodies possess superhuman capabilities that defy the effects of aging.

Escaping in a situation like this would be folly.

'If I try to make an excuse and leave, it will arouse suspicion. Sneaking away is impossible, and even if I somehow manage to succeed, I'll be tracked down as soon as a report is filed.'

First of all, it is about the status of Gerard that I used to have.

Since this false identity had virtually died and disappeared, it was necessary to create a new identity. And it was only natural that this process would cost a lot of money and time.

The underground world is not even the regular route you need. It is also very hard to gather information in the back alleys of the city you are visiting for the first time and find a place to stay until you create a new identity.

Having lost my identity, I am no different from an illegal immigrant.

Having no status is no different from not having human rights.

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

Now was the time to save myself.

'Now, let's not do anything to arouse suspicion.'

Let's go to Seorn Academy for now. It wouldn't be bad to think about the future there.

All right. All right.

When the fast-running wagon slowed down, I had a hunch that I had finally arrived at Seorn Academy.

As if to prove that, the front window of the wagon slid open, and Wilford spoke to him.

"Rudger, we are here."

At Wilford's words, I glanced at the scenery outside the window.

The place where the steel horse leading the carriage stopped was a building further inside than the main building.

Towering high like a crown, it was truly a majestic castle.

"This is it. Get off."

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

"I'll be back anyway, so you don't have to carry your luggage."

"... ... I see."

I got off the wagon and followed Wilford past the fountains and beautiful stone statues into the building.

The inside was spectacular.

The light from the window spreads as if it is reflected softly inside, creating a warm color and gently wrapping the skin.

A fragrant smell from somewhere stimulates my nose, and I hear the chirping of birds. It felt like a dream.

The interior has a refined yet clean design, reminiscent of beautiful medieval European architecture.

If the adjoining city, <Leatherbelk>, has a steampunk atmosphere full of steam, this one is much more geared towards fantasy.

-ha ha ha.

Child, don't do that.

As I went up the stairs along Wilford, servants and students in academy uniforms passed me by.

Every time that happens, I hear the whispering of a conversation behind me. I'm sure I'm not gossiping because I look like a country boy, right?

Since I was stabbed for no reason, I straightened my clothes or straightened my hair.

Before I knew it, I arrived in front of a large elevator.

Are you going to ride this again?

"Come this way."

I boarded the lift with Wilford. I thought it was high even when I saw it from the outside, but I was surprised once again to see that it was up to the 30th floor.

I thought that this was indeed the scale of the empire.

When the elevator arrived and the door opened, there was a long hallway lined with red carpets and a single wooden door at the end.

"The president is waiting for you. I will be waiting here."

"Thank you for guiding me."

"no. It's my job."

I crossed the hallway and stood in front of the door to the president's office.

Just as he was about to raise his hand and knock on the door, he heard a languid yet alluring voice from inside.

"Come on in."

"... ... ."

I opened the door and went inside.

"Nice to meet you."

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

The president of the Academy.

Considering that out of the existing 8th tier, she must be at least 6th tier or higher to sit in this seat, the girl in front of me is an undisputed first-class magician.

Looking at her appearance, she only looks to be in her mid-twenties.

She was holding a fountain pen in her right hand, as if she had just been sorting out paperwork, and she stared at me as she let go of the pen.

Her white hair, flowing down like a curtain, shines even more dazzlingly in the light from the glass window behind her.

'what.'

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

Deep in my soul, I felt the beauty of that figure.

I tried to ignore the strange sensation and spoke in a firm voice.

"This is Rudgar Chelsea. The president called and I came."

First of all, because I am Rudgar Cellis now.

The president smiled brightly and accepted my greeting.

"Yes, nice to meet you, Mr. Rudger. Are you feeling better than before?" she says knowing he was involved in a terrorist incident.

"It was nothing. I was helped by the Knights of Cold Steel at a dangerous moment."

"Oh, I'm really glad about that. I was pretty nervous too. you are a new teacher who was chosen after a long time, but I was worried about what to do if you got hurt. If that happens, we lose face, right?"

Seeing her openly talking about saving face, it seems that she is definitely not an ordinary personality.

But isn't everyone who has risen to a high position originally twisted somewhere?

Especially if it's a family of wizards.

So was my master. The woman in front of me must be the same.

It wasn't too surprising.

"Are you feeling unwell or anything like that?"

Watching the president stare at me with a smile in her eyes with a subtle gaze, I wondered if something had been discovered.

Come to think of it, has the president met Rudger before? So maybe she's noticing that I've changed?

As anxious thoughts passed by, her voice awakened my thoughts.

"I've only seen it on paper, but it's the first time I've seen you in person."

Fortunately, it seemed that this was the first meeting between Rudger and the president.

I replied with a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for the compliment, even if it's just empty words."

"No. These are not empty words. If this is the case, the reaction of the students will be a sight, right? You are such a handsome man."

"It's an overstatement."

"Okay, take this for now."

The president held out a piece of paper to me.

"We announced it in advance, but it's good to have a thorough contract. The contract period is 2 years. The pay is as written there."

I accepted the contract and inspected the contents carefully.

I didn't think it was too much of a big deal because I was going to get rid of it as soon as the preliminary stats came out anyway.

That is until I read what was written inside.

'Oh, what is this? Wait a sec.'

What was written in the contract was truly eye-opening.

'The monthly salary is 30 imperial gold coins?'

One imperial gold coin is equivalent to 1 million denars in terms of the continent's common currency, the 'denar'.

In other words, 30 imperial gold coins equals 30 million denars, which is close to 300 million won in terms of the Earth where I lived.

This is a whopping one month's salary.

300 million won a month. At this point, I had to doubt whether she was taking my organs, but this is Seorn Academy.

It was the number one magic academy in the empire.

Even in the district where I lived, the annual salary of one instructor at Gangnam Academy was not up to 10 billion won.

It is quite possible.

'And a bonus is attached by semester, and another bonus is attached at the end of the year? Is it even possible to increase salary based on performance? If students' faculty evaluation is good, it goes up?'

Even if you do really well, you'll get a bonus, and if that's the case, your annual salary will exceed 500 million denars.

The contract period is 2 years, so the total is over 1 billion denars.

With this money, you can live anywhere you go. You can even do a side job if you get permission.

Gulp.

I involuntarily swallowed my saliva.

It's great that the salary is this much, but the support money when conducting classes is enormous. Up to the fact that additional subsidies may come out depending on the evaluation of the teacher.

In addition to that, you can find a house separately, and you can eat meals here, so there is no need to spend money unless it is a dire situation.

'If you hold out for two years, one billion denars. In terms of earth money, it's a whopping 10 billion won. Even that was taken to a minimum. If you do well, you can even raise the salary, and it is possible to extend it after the contract ends.'

It was a condition that could only be seen as crazy.

Is this the best academy in the empire?

The life I've lived so far...?

"How is it? Are you okay?"

"...Not bad."

Not a bad level. This is awesome.

Take a deep breath and read the contract again.

It wasn't a dream either. It's literally like a golden pumpkin rolled in whole.

But there was a fundamental problem.

'It's true that Seorn is great enough to pay this amount of money, but at the same time, the weight he carries as Seorn's teacher is significant.'

Indeed, will I be able to endure the position?

Can I really work as an educator in this place where all kinds of geniuses are prevalent?

'No way. It must be rather a miracle that my lowliness does not come to light in one day.'

Still, I am confident in bluffing and bluffing myself. It's because I grew up in an environment where I might die if I didn't do that.

I quickly shook my head and analyzed the situation.

'If you look at the salary alone, it's attractive, but it's just as burdensome. But I've already come this far and can't refuse. Rudger has already become a teacher here. And I became that Rudger, Chelsea.'

Can you say no in this situation in the first place?

My appointment as a teacher has already been confirmed, but now I can't suddenly say I won't do it. Then, of course, they'll think it's suspicious.

In fact, the answer I had to give was as if it had been decided.

'In that case, I have no choice but to do it.'

Now I've made up my mind how to use this Ludger Celish identity.

All you have to do is close your eyes here and endure for two years.

Okay. After two years, this life can be over. Isn't it better than the military because you get paid a lot of money and move freely?

Thinking that way made me feel at ease.

I handed the contract to the president and opened my mouth.

Fraud. Bluff. Catch the mood.

Because that's my specialty.

"The contents of the contract. I checked everything."

"great. Then, I wish you well in the future. Mr. Rudger."

"yes. I will leave it up to you. President."

I shook hands with the president who smiled at me.

It was a secret that he was sweating desperately to keep his face expressionless.