"And who could this be?" His eyes seemed to peer right through me, cold and unblinking. Without breaking his gaze, he addressed Sashi. "Sashi, who have you brought? And why is he wearing your robe?"
My heart skipped a beat. Wait—this is her robe?
Sashi bowed her head, the slightest hesitation in her voice. "Yes…this…" She stole a quick glance at me before returning her focus to him. "I don't know who he is, Master."
"Right," he said, no more of it.
The Master's gaze then flicked briefly to the dagger in my hand, narrowing for the barest moment before he dismissed it with a barely perceptible sigh. I gripped it instinctively, feeling its weight.
He turned back to Sashi, his tone calm and even. "Sashi, you are to join me on an expedition to the Forhenges."
At the mention of the Forhenges, Sashi's composure wavered—just slightly. Her lips parted, and a flicker of unease crossed her face. She handed him the scrolls with hands that were just a touch too steady,
The Master took them, his gaze still focused and intent. "We leave at dawn," he added. "Make sure you're prepared. No room for mistakes."
A chill crawled up my spine, "Forhenges?" I asked.
They both turned to me, "It's a labyrinth," Sashi replied flatly. "Shouldn't you know this? You're an adventurer, aren't you?"
I blinked, "What got you that idea? I'm not. I don't even know how I got here."
"You should have two things in that robe: your dagger and your Guild License." She then turned to her master, "I was quite surprised that this guy's a fifth-ring adventurer. One more, and he could've come with us."
I patted the inside pocket. My fingers struck something hard and smooth— a rectangular card, etched with glowing lines.
Five interlocked rings.
Next to them—my name. In clean, stylized Korean calligraphy.
My heart skipped.
A Fifth Ring adventurer… with a dagger as a weapon.
That's me.
My avatar. Fifth Ring. Dagger build. I remember building him for speed—dodge-heavy, burst damage. Not ideal for dungeons, but perfect for solo play. And yet… I always thought he'd stay in the game. Now he's me?
"I am me?" I blurted out, which garnered a weird look from Sashi.
The Master studied me, hand to chin, his gloved fingers tapping thoughtfully.
"It's rare for adventurers to enroll at this institute."
This...
"You're suspicious of me," I stated.
A part of me straightened in the mirror of his gaze.
Fifth Ring… That's power.
And if this world runs on game logic, then I'm not starting from scratch.
"Not quite," he replied, turning away, "Sashi, get ready."
With an unwavering stride, he walked to his office, the door closing behind him with a gust of wind.
Sashi looked at me, sighed, and scratched a brow, "Well, let's at least get you registered, and just to be clear, I won't be of help after that."
I nodded. "That's fine."
Because if I really was who this card said I was…
Then I had a hell of a lot more to figure out.
"Follow me," Sashi turned.
We walked.
Silent at first.
I took out the crumpled acceptance letter and read through it for a second time, the first one being the event that led me here.
"What's up with him?" I blabbered.
"Master...?" Sashi glanced behind her shoulder.
"Yeah, what's up with him?"
"A part of me wonders as well. You see, the title of an archmage grants you that kind of arrogance," she said, pushing a door open for both of us, "And you should expect that coming from a Leyser."
Leyser. Immediately, it made sense.
"I see."
The stone corridor gleamed under floating orbs of light, suspended like fireflies.
Stained glass windows cast shifting colors on the marble. Statues lined the walls—mages frozen mid-incantation.
Sashi knocked on a door at the end of the corridor.
"Come in," a sharp voice of a woman muffled through.
…
I sat in an office—different from Sashi's, but similar in its grandeur. Arched bookshelves. Ornate desk. Velvet chairs.
Opposite me sat Dean Aldora Senshi—white-robed, sharp-eyed, composed. Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
I recognized the name. Senshi. And Sashi's master was Aaron Leyser.
Both names belonged to noble factions in the game. I briefly remember encountering a mid-game villain from the Leyser house...I hope it doesn't come to that point.
"I've placed you in standard foundational courses," Aldora said, voice crisp. "However, due to your late entry, you'll need to attend an after-hours makeup class."
"Ah… yeah. Yes, I understand."
She handed me a folded slip—a list of my classes and their locations.
"Off you go. Both of you," she added, waving us off like shooing birds. "I don't have all day."
Sashi and I stepped out into the corridor.
'That's it…?'
"Let me see that," she said, snatching the paper. Her eyes scanned it. "Oh?"
"What is it?"
She returned it. "Nothing… Just that I'll be assistant-teaching one of your classes."
"You're qualified for that?" I asked, half-teasing. "And aren't you going to the Forhenges?"
"I'm qualified for a lot of things," she said proudly. "Besides, the expedition won't take long. Master—an Archmage—is coming along this time."
This time?
"So, there was a prior raid. How'd that go?"
Sashi's voice quieted.
"Three Pillar Mages died."
Silence. Heavy and sharp.
"Pillar Mages?" I echoed.
"The highest-ranked casters in Magist. There are only twelve," she said. "When one dies… they say the sky dims for a day."
"…I see. Are you a...?" I asked, my question drifting through the tense atmosphere.
"Yes, I am one."
I glanced at the schedule. Seeing her expression, I decided not to pry too much
"Bionics in Mana," I read aloud.
"That's in Room 203," she said, pointing toward an elevated platform. "Right up those steps."
I nodded. "Thanks for your help so far."
"So far?" she repeated with a sneer. "You think I'll help you again?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I might need it."
She rolled her eyes and turned away. "Just get to class."
I looked down at my outfit.
"…Should I really go in wearing this robe?"