Deadline [1]

"Your payment is overdue."

Vanitas crossed one leg over the other nonchalantly, sifting through pages of documents in his hand.

Across the desk, a man stood trembling, his hands clasped tightly as if praying for salvation.

"Sir, I—Please, just give me another month!" the man pleaded.

Vanitas's eyes didn't leave the documents.

"Another month, you say?"

Flip—

He turned a page, letting the paper crinkle softly as the sound filled the tense silence.

This man wasn't just any borrower. He was one of the many commoners the old Vanitas had extended loans to. 

But the terms of these loans were brutal. Even glancing at the clauses made Vanitas feel sick.

The interest rate alone was predatory—5% compounded weekly.

If the borrower missed a single payment, the interest doubled for that month.

Failure to pay for more than two months would result in collateral seizure, and would force the man to give up his property. More so, complete takeover.

However, seeing the man still alive and kicking, the old Vanitas seemed lenient to some extent.

And then there was the worst clause of all.

Labor penalties.

If a borrower failed to meet their obligations for three consecutive months, they were contractually obligated to work under Vanitas's management until the debt was repaid, with wages set at a fraction of the market rate.

No, it wasn't just predatory.

It was borderline enslavement.

Vanitas's fingers tightened momentarily on the papers. This level of exploitation disgusted him. It reminded him too much of his past life.

Loan sharks had destroyed his family once. They were responsible for claiming the life of his little sister.

He hated this system.

But he couldn't ignore reality.

The man before him wasn't innocent. He'd been borrowing additional funds every month, despite being three months overdue on his original loan.

At some point, Vanitas thought, the blame no longer rested with the lender.

And, glancing around the establishment, it didn't take much to conclude what the money was even spent for.

"You're aware of the contract you signed, aren't you?" Vanitas said, finally looking up.

The man flinched. "Y-Yes, sir. But—"

"Then you know you're three months overdue," Vanitas continued, cutting him off. "And despite that, you've continued asking for more loans."

"I had no choice!" the man protested. "My crops failed! My family—"

Vanitas held up a hand, silencing him.

"Family? Is the excessive use of alcohol and drugs for their sake?" he said, his voice unnervingly calm. 

"...."

The man simply froze and Vanitas continued.

"I'm not interested in your personal issues, but a contract is a contract. You signed it. You agreed to the terms."

The man's face fell, desperation evident in his tone. "Please, I beg you, just a little more time!"

Vanitas leaned back, letting the papers rest in his lap.

The truth was, he hated this.

The old Vanitas had crafted these contracts to ensure absolute control over anyone who borrowed from him.

Every clause was designed to exploit, to trap borrowers in a cycle of debt they couldn't escape from.

And yet, as much as Vanitas despised it, he couldn't simply waive the debts. 

Doing so would undermine the authority he needed to maintain as the current head of the Astrea family.

Moreover, the loan had already been established. Vanitas, too, needed the funds to continue supporting himself and Charlotte.

"You've had three months," Vanitas said finally. "That's more leniency than most would grant under these terms."

The man fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "I swear, sir, I'll pay! Just one more chance!"

Vanitas sighed, setting the papers aside.

"You've had multiple extensions. You've borrowed more than you can repay. And now, the consequences of that fall on you."

He stood, looming over the man, who was now sobbing openly.

"Do you have any collateral left to offer?" Vanitas asked, his tone cold.

The man shook his head frantically. "No, Sir! Nothing!"

Vanitas stared down at him for a long moment. He didn't want to enforce the labor clause. 

He didn't want to perpetuate the cycle of exploitation the old Vanitas had thrived on.

But he also knew this wasn't just about one man's plight. If he started showing too much leniency, others would take advantage of it.

After a long pause, Vanitas finally spoke.

"Very well," he said. "You have two options."

The man looked up, hope flickering in his tear–streaked eyes.

"Option one. You begin labor under the terms outlined in the contract."

The hope faded immediately.

"Option two," Vanitas continued, "I'll grant you a three-month deferment. No additional loans. No additional extensions. You'll pay the full amount, including all accrued interest, at the end of that period. If you fail to do so, the contract's penalty clauses will be enforced in full."

The man hesitated.

Vanitas's gaze softened slightly as he added, "Use the deferment wisely. Secure stable income. Make arrangements for your family. This is the last extension you'll receive."

The man nodded weakly, "T–Thank you, Sir!"

It was disgusting.

But in this world, fairness and morality weren't always luxuries he could afford.

Vanitas stood then, heading for the door. Just as his hand reached for the handle, something caught his eye.

———「Event Act: Setup」———

「Rewards:」

◆ Understanding: +10%

————————————

"...."

An act trigger.

"...."

Furthermore, there was a faint glint near the base of the man's boot.

Vanitas paused, his gaze sharpening.

The reflection wasn't from dirt or water.

It was a revolver.

Bang—!

The deafening roar of the shot echoed in the room as Vanitas twisted to the side instinctively.

The bullet narrowly missed him as it blasted through the door and shattered it into splinters.

Just one bullet alone weighed that kind of force. 

Clearly, it was an artifact.

Vanitas straightened, his hand glowing faintly with mana as he turned to face the trembling man.

"You didn't waste time," Vanitas said coldly.

"....!"

The man stumbled back, the revolver trembling in his hand. 

But Vanitas didn't miss the subtle movement—the man's eyes darting toward the doorway.

'He's stalling.'

Vanitas didn't hesitate. His spectacles flared with mana, revealing the hidden signatures nearby.

Five. Two at the front. Three circling from behind.

Before he could act, heavy footsteps thudded against the floor.

From the splintered doorway, multiple men emerged, each armed and masked. 

They fanned out quickly with weapons.

Vanitas's lips curled into a faint smirk. He slowly adjusted his cufflinks calmly, as if the entire encounter never fazed him.

It was strange.

If it were Chae Eun–woo, he would definitely feel the chill of fear crawling up his spine.

However, Vanitas Astrea's influence overtook him in high–stake scenarios such as these.

But then again, if he had to be honest, this was the first attempt in his life after becoming Vanitas Astrea himself.

Still, he couldn't ignore the faint remnants of his past self. 

As Chae Eun-woo, he'd spent hours in similar setups—immersed in the game, mastering PVP and NPC encounters.

And these men?

NPCs.

Nothing more.

"Get him." Their leader gestured forward with a grunt, signaling the first strike.

A dagger-wielding attacker lunged his blade toward Vanitas.

Swoosh—!

He sidestepped effortlessly, catching the man's wrist mid-swing.

With a twist, Vanitas disarmed him, sending the dagger clattering to the ground.

His only thoughts at the moment was how sloppy the set–up was as he delivered a sharp elbow to the attacker's forehead.

The man immediately crumpled on the floor. But it wasn't the end of it.

As if the first attack had merely been a test, the air erupted with chaos.

Gunshots rang out, bolts of magic streaked toward him.

Vanitas moved.

Swoosh—!

Effortlessly.

Ducking, weaving, sidestepping—each motion exuded graceful efficiency.

Bang—!

A bullet grazed past his shoulder, embedding itself in the wall behind him.

Vanitas, merely indifferent to the pain due to the adrenaline coursing through him, channeled his stigmata.

「Silent Dominion」

Windblade.

A razor-sharp gust of air materialized in his hand.

With a flick of his wrist, the translucent blade cleaved through the air, striking one of the masked attackers squarely in the chest.

"Khh…!"

The man was thrown backward, slamming into a table that splintered beneath his weight.

Vanitas pivoted as another spell already formed beneath him. The floor erupted with a jagged stone that continuously twisted and spiraled like a drill.

Stone Cannon.

The attacker barely had time to react before the drill shot forward, smashing into his shield spell. 

The impact sent him sprawling as his barrier shattered into a thousand fragments.

They collapsed in a heap, groaning in pain.

Three left.

Vanitas moved fluidly through the chaos, utilizing beginner spells with speed to his advantage.

Silent Dominion amplified his efficiency, allowing him to cast rapidly without wasting too much mana.

He purposely avoided higher-tier spells. Anything beyond beginner or advanced risked triggering the cancer lurking in his body.

For now, the speed and efficiency of his beginner spells were more than sufficient.

This was his style after analyzing the best way to fight as Vanitas Astrea.

A complete mastery of basic spells, efficient enough to overwhelm his enemies and secure victory.

It didn't take long.

Realizing the plan had gone awry, the man scrambled to his feet as his hands fumbled with the revolver.

Bang—!

He fired a wild shot without even aiming before bolting through the backdoor.

Vanitas straightened his cuffs, stepping over the unconscious bodies littering the room.

"Pathetic."

Without wasting a second, he pursued.

The man's footsteps echoed in the narrow alley behind the building.

His breathing was ragged, and the panic that emanated from him made it loud enough to follow.

Vanitas moved swiftly.

The man stumbled, twisting around to fire another shot.

Bang—!

Vanitas moved swiftly, closing the distance in a matter of seconds.

"Get away—!" the man screamed, raising the revolver again.

With a flick of his wrist, Vanitas conjured a gust of wind that sent the revolver flying from the man's hand.

"Enough," Vanitas said coldly.

"Hieeek—!"

The man yelped and tripped, collapsing onto the cobblestone. His wide eyes stared up at Vanitas, who loomed over him like a demon.

"You know what this means, don't you?"

"W–Wait! Please, I didn't mean—"

"Clause 14," Vanitas interrupted, his tone as cold as ice. "Any harm or intent of harm to the lender results in an immediate forfeiture of all assets."

It was a hidden clause. One that Vanitas noticed by imbuing his mana into the contract.

"Wha—No! Please, I—"

"All property, all earnings, your business…." Vanitas leaned in slightly, his voice dropping.

"Even your personal belongings."

The man froze, his breath hitching as Vanitas's gaze bore into him like a hundred sharp needles.

"All of it."

Vanitas continued, his expression remained unchanging as ever.

"Mine."

———「Event Act: Setup」———

「Rewards Obtained:」

◆ Understanding: +10%

————————————

***

Monday came around.

Vanitas strode through the university halls with a calm, almost regal air as his coat billowed slightly with each step.

By the time he reached his lecture hall, the room was already bustling with students. 

His presence immediately quieted down the commotion.

He stepped onto the podium, setting down his materials while Karina positioned herself discreetly at the side.

Finally, he began.

"Open your textbooks. Today, we delve into the application of mana synchronization across multiple essence types."

The rustle of pages immediately filled the air.

It was evident the class had come to appreciate his teaching style after the first week.

Efficient, direct, and layered with clarity.

Contrary to the whispers from the seniors, who claimed Vanitas Astrea's lectures were dull and rigid, the first–years found them anything but.

Vanitas picked up a piece of chalk, turning to the board.

"Mana synchronization," he said, writing the term in bold. "The art of harmonizing different essence flows into a cohesive spell."

He paused as his sharp gaze swept across the room.

"Many of you will fail to grasp this at first."

The tension in the room spiked.

"Not because you lack ability, but because synchronization requires precision, adaptability, and discipline."

He began sketching a diagram. 

A magic circuit linked by various nodes and layers.

"For example," he continued, "Pyro and Aqua are opposites in nature, and require perfect balance. One misstep, and your spell collapses. Or worse."

His words hung in the air.

Astrid raised her hand.

"Yes, Astrid?"

"How do you train for synchronization if you only mastered one essence?"

Vanitas replied. "In that case, you train your mana flow techniques. Build control over your singular essence until its precision rivals that of multi–essence synchronization."

The chalk moved swiftly across the board as he illustrated his explanation.

"Remember, synchronization is not just a test of power but of mental clarity."

Sophia, seated beside Astrid, raised her hand.

"Yes, Sophia."

"What's the difference between synchronization and hybrid spells?"

"Synchronization is the art of balancing two essences without them interfering with each other. Think of it as playing two instruments in harmony."

He shifted his attention back to the board, drawing two intersecting circles labeled Pyro and Aqua.

"Hybrid spells, on the other hand, combine two or more essences into a single effect. They're not balanced separately. They fuse into something entirely new."

He stepped back, letting the diagram speak for itself.

The lecture progressed steadily.

Students diligently jotted down notes and posed questions. Vanitas answered each inquiry, ensuring no concept was left unclear.

His lectures began and ended exactly as scheduled—11:30 AM, no exceptions. 

As the clock struck 11:30, Vanitas placed his chalk down.

After a brief announcement, Vanitas went on to say, "Dismissed."