Magic Academy's Bastard Instructor

Chapter 102: Festival [4]

Chapter 102: Festival [4]

The Imperial Children.

Each of them had their own distinct quirks, as introduced at the start of the game. 

However, this was merely bait.

The alliance the player chose more or less reflected their stance in the game's political circle.

Franz Barielle Aetherion, the most dangerous of the three. He often served as the player's downfall if they weren't careful, and ended their progression early in the storyline.

Irene Barielle Aetherion, the most unpredictable. Though invaluable for her connections and schemes, she too could bring about the player's demise if mishandled.

Astrid Barielle Aetherion, the neutral and the most powerful of the three individually. Her fate varied drastically depending on the player's influence.

Astrid could side with Franz and become a mass-murdering weapon, or align with Irene to join her sister's efforts to thwart their brother's ambitions. 

However, Irene's alliances were rooted in the underworld, and siding with her would inevitably lead to a slow, devastating civil war that would tear the Aetherion Empire apart from within.

Alternatively, Astrid could follow a neutral path, focusing on becoming a doctor and a mage outside the political sphere. 

While this would spare her from the empire's turmoil, it would limit her growth. 

According to veteran players who had reached the true ending but failed, Astrid was one of the keys to ultimately defeating the Black Dragon.

But now, a third party had emerged.

Vanitas Astrea.

Unlike the player, who could influence Astrid as an equal, Vanitas had the potential to become a mentor figure. 

This in turn, could drastically alter Astrid's path, likely guiding her toward a route similar to those of Franz and Irene—one where he would shape and lead her decisions.

But there was a problem.

The named character; Vanitas Astrea's existence himself was a problem.

Vanitas understood the danger. Involving himself with the Imperial Family could either become his greatest weapon or the very blade that would one day sever his head.

Because Vanitas Astrea had killed the mother of the three Imperial Children—

the Imperial Queen herself.

'Why do something so stupid.'

If the game had a maximum difficulty setting, playing as Vanitas Astrea would surpass even that.

——Are you perhaps, Vanitas Astrea?

Vanitas stopped and looked up.

He was here.