Lara Point of View

  I arrived at Grenancine City after a three-day carriage ride.

  Truth be told, I could have used my powers to reach here within an hour, but the people from Falorath Village, who traveled with me, would have grown suspicious. Besides, it was... enjoyable. Yes, truly, spending those three days with them was more pleasant than I expected.

  Grenancine was surrounded by towering trees that seemed to cradle the village in their shadow.

  I remembered this place, though something felt off, different from what I recalled. From the distance, I could see a tall structure, its stone walls rising high like the fortress of an old castle. It was enormous, certainly not like the buildings from my first life, but still, it had a majestic air to it, and I found myself quietly admiring it.

  "You're looking at that, Lara?" Julian's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He was my age and one of my neighbors in Falorath. We had taken the system and became adventurers on the same day. Well as so he said.

  "Indeed," I replied, my voice steady. "What is that place?"

  "You don't know?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me, clearly surprised.

  I shook my head. "No, I don't."

  He stared at me for a moment, as if trying to gauge whether I was serious. "Really? You're serious?"

  I gave him a slow nod, and he chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, you are serious."

  Julian climbed down from the carriage, slinging his bag over his shoulder. His armor clanked softly as he moved, the kind of heavy, standard-issue gear that marked him as a warrior. I hadn't asked him what class he took, but judging by his build, warrior seemed right.

  "That's Laraeon Academy," he said, pointing toward the towering structure.

  "Built by the high elf, one of the greatest heroes."

  A high elf, huh? I mused to myself. Unlike normal elves like Thailon, who only lived for about 200 years or else, high elves lived for 1,000 years or more. Thailon, that tsundere little elf who loved hoarding items more than anyone else... He must be long gone by now. The thought of him made me smile—those distant memories of another time, another life. It's just like tomorrow to me though-

  I just remember him smiling to me.

  "Why are you smiling?" Julian asked, curious.

  "Oh, it's nothing," I replied, slipping back into the present. "Just a bit of nostalgia."

  "You speak oddly, you know that?" he said, frowning slightly, as though my words puzzled him.

  "Do I?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

  He nodded, his youthful face framed by messy blond hair, his brown eyes studying me. He looked like someone foreign—someone not of this place, but then again, we all had our differences here.

  "Let's head to the gate. We need to get registered," Julian suggested, gesturing toward the city.

  I nodded and followed him. As we stepped away from the carriage, the villagers who had accompanied us called out their goodbyes.

  "Take care, you two! Make our village proud!" one of them shouted, waving as the carriage pulled away.

  Julian and I waved back, our hands lifted in a silent farewell as the people faded into the distance.

  Now, we stood in line, surrounded by adventurers from all walks of life. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and chatter, the crowd thick with seasoned warriors, mages, and archers, all aiming to enter Laraeon Academy.

  The city had changed so much—there had never been an academy here before, and it felt foreign compared to what I remembered. Grenancine had truly become unrecognizable after all these years.

  As I observed the adventurers around me, my thoughts drifted to the unfamiliarity of this era. I leaned toward Julian, who was glancing ahead, waiting for our turn.

  "Hey, Julian," I began carefully, "earlier you mentioned the Great Heroes. What are they, exactly?"

  Julian looked at me as if I'd lost my mind. "Did you hit your head or something?" he asked, disbelief etched across his face. "That's a story everyone knows, especially someone from Falorath."

  His suspicion was understandable. Being from the same village, I should've known about the history. I needed to think of an excuse, quickly.

  "Oh! Uh, well... It's not that I don't know," I laughed awkwardly, trying to lighten the situation. "It's just, you know, my family lives way deep in the forest. We don't get much news out there. I've probably missed some updates or the details."

  Julian raised an eyebrow, but after a moment, his expression softened. "Ah, right. Your family does live in the more remote part of Falorath, huh? And you are the type who always stay in that forest" He chuckled. "I guess that explains it. You guys are pretty isolated over there."

  "Exactly," I said with a relieved grin. We are neighbor though- "We mostly keep to ourselves. So, I guess I'm a little out of the loop."

  "Well, you'll need to catch up fast around here," he said, his voice back to normal. "

  "Demon King?" I muttered to myself, pondering Julian's words.

  So it's stronger than the Demon Lord we fought before? The Great Heroes... just how remarkable are they? Are they even cooler than my old team?" I thought aloud, feeling a touch of nostalgia.

  My team back then was full of children, brilliant minds who strategized every move. They may have been young, but they were strong—capable of defeating a dragon with one strike. And yet, we struggled to bring down a Demon Lord. I could barely imagine taking on a Demon King.

  "You better learn things quickly here, or you'll be treated like a newbie," Julian added, snapping me out of my thoughts.

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  "I know, I know," I replied, feigning a sheepish smile.

  "By the way, you're an archer, right?" Julian asked, giving me a curious look.

  "Yeah, why?" I responded, already sensing where this conversation was heading.

  "Where's your bow?" He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly expecting me to produce it on the spot.

  Ah, the bow... I Amelia was the archer, but in this life, I am an undetected class—meaning I can control any skill and class at will. I left the physical bow behind since it was cumbersome. Class E or not, carrying it would've drawn unnecessary attention.

  "I can summon it whenever I need," I explained casually, waving off his concern.

  Julian's eyes widened. "That's amazing! If only I could do the same with my gear... this armor is such a hassle sometimes," he grumbled, shifting uncomfortably in his warrior's attire.

  I smiled softly, but inwardly, my thoughts drifted again. I never wanted to be an adventurer. This path wasn't mine to begin with.

  I'm here because I need to find my purpose in this world, and with little money to my name, I can't start building the dream I've had for so long—a restaurant and an orphanage for children who are less fortunate a world where a children can smile happily.

  That's what I truly want. To provide a home and a warm meal, not to continue a life of battle and bloodshed. But I feel like I been forgetting something.

  I used to kill because the system demanded it. It threatened the people I cared for, and I had no choice but to follow.

  But now, for the first time, it's silent. It said I can live my life as I please. Perhaps pursuing that dream of mine will bring me the peace I've sought for so long. I could still help people, but this time, with a smile rather than a sword. I'd build a home, not just for me but for Bernin and Famelia too. Yet, I'll need at least a year away from them before returning. Any sooner, and they'll get suspicious.

  But speaking of money... wait.

  "Inventory," I whispered under my breath, watching as the familiar screen appeared before my eyes. I scrolled through its contents, my heart skipping a beat as I saw something that had been there all along.

  A magical bag.

  It was still there?

  I stared at it for a moment, blinking in disbelief. Hesitating for a second, I grabbed it and opened it. Inside, I saw something that left me speechless.

  20,000 gold.

  My old money was still here. After all these years.

  I don't need to sell items for money after all, do I?

  I thought, feeling an unexpected rush of relief. I had considered selling items to start building my dream, but that would've raised suspicion. After all, how could a newbie adventurer sell so many rare items?

  No, this was far better. It allowed me to move quietly, unnoticed. Selling item is really an attention seeker one.

  This magical bag was all I had left from my old life. I once had over a billion gold, but I'd given it all away before I died. I thought I had left with nothing. But here it was—just enough to begin again.

  With this, I could build my restaurant, start fresh, and earn money the right way. I didn't want to abuse the fact that I had infinite points or gold.

  That wasn't the life I wanted to lead anymore.

  I smiled to myself, knowing that this small fortune would be more than enough to create the future I longed for. It was a sign, perhaps, that even after everything, I still had a chance to build a life that wasn't dictated by violence and the system's demands. A life where I could help people without sacrificing my own peace.

  Upon entering the city , a bustling noise welcome me although Julian bid farewell to me since we have different paths I still find this place amazing it was lovely. For thing I didn't saw in 20 years was people wearing uniform I see it and it was amazing,

  Now I should start my own journey-

  I sat across from him at the table, my arms crossed, studying his face. Fernin—my brother, or at least, that's what everyone kept insisting. Sure, I knew the name, but his face? It was a mirror of our father, Bernin. That same sharp jawline, those piercing eyes, the way his eyebrows furrowed in frustration—it was eerie, as if I were talking to a younger version of him.

  Still, I couldn't help but find it amusing how he reacted the moment our eyes met earlier. He tried to bolt, probably thinking I was here to cause trouble. Suspicious, yes, but also completely awkward in that "long-lost-sibling-reunion" kind of way. Classic Fernin.

  "Mother said you became an adventurer," I remarked casually, testing the waters as I kept my voice calm. I wasn't here to confront him—yet—but to figure out what exactly made him so jumpy. The way he kept fidgeting in his seat told me there was more to the story than met the eye.

  Fernin sighed dramatically, shifting again as if he wanted to sink into the floor. "I'm still seven years older than you, so what's with the tone?" he shot back, trying to deflect the obvious tension.

  I raised an eyebrow at his attempt to pull rank. Seven years older? Maybe in this life, little brother. If only he knew how many centuries separated us in truth. "That's not the point," I said, brushing off his weak retort. "Did you quit your job?"

  He immediately looked anywhere but at me—classic avoidance technique. His gaze darted to the window, the ceiling, the floor, anywhere that wasn't me. "Five years... a lot has changed in five years," he muttered, his voice trailing off.

  Changed? I wasn't even here for those years, not in this body anyway, but I could tell he was stalling. "You're dodging the question," I said, pressing him further. There was no way I was letting him off the hook that easily.

  Something fishy

  He sighed again, louder this time, like he was about to confess some great crime.

  "Don't tell Mother and Father," he began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "They think I'm still an adventurer. If they knew I was working as a financial advisor instead..." He looked down, rubbing his temples.

  "They'd be disappointed. But I didn't want to lose their pride, so... I let them think I was still out there."

  I leaned back, struggling to hide my grin. A financial advisor? That's why he freaked out the moment he saw me? He was terrified of me blowing his cover. I wanted to laugh, but I kept my composure. "I didn't want to be an adventurer either," I said, locking eyes with him.

  His reaction was instant—his face turned a shade paler as his eyes widened in shock. "What?! No! You have to!" His voice shot up an octave as if I'd just told him I was planning to run away and join the circus.

  "You can't just be a clerk or something! You're supposed to be the pride of the family!"

  Oh, this was rich. I could see the panic swirling in his eyes, as if I was shattering some sacred family tradition. He was projecting his own insecurities, clearly still tied to the expectations his father had for us.

  "Relax," I said, waving him off. "I'm not going to tell Mother and Father. Your secret is safe with me." The moment I said that, he visibly deflated, letting out a huge sigh of relief like I'd just lifted a boulder off his chest.

  "Good," he mumbled, clearly relieved that his facade remained intact.

  "But..." I leaned forward, my eyes narrowing playfully. His relief was short-lived as I continued, "I'm also not going to be an adventurer."

  If I thought his reaction before was entertaining, this was ten times better. His jaw practically dropped, his face twisting in utter disbelief. "Wha—No! You have to! I won't allow it!" He slammed his hands on the table, trying to assert some kind of authority.

  "You can't just apply for some desk job!"

  I smirked at his little tantrum. Allow it? Oh, the audacity of this child.

  "Who said anything about applying for a job?" I shot back coolly, watching his confusion deepen.

  He blinked at me, utterly lost. "Then why are you here?"

  Oh, Fernin. I leaned back, "I'm here to find an assistant."

  His brows furrowed in genuine confusion. "An assistant? For what? They don't hire assistants for adventurers here," he said, clearly not understanding where this was going.

  "I'm not becoming an adventurer," I reminded him again. "I'm building my own business."

  That statement completely broke him. He stared at me, slack-jawed, like I'd just announced I was planning to colonize a distant planet. "You? A business?" he asked incredulously.

  "Are you out of your mind? Do you even know what you're talking about? You'd need at least 10,000 gold just to start anything remotely respectable!"

  I tilted my head, watching the gears in his brain come to a screeching halt. "You're hallucinating," he added, leaning forward like he was about to check my temperature.

  "Are you okay? Little sister, you're talking nonsense."

  I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish his little meltdown. When he finally paused for breath, I smirked and dropped the bomb. "I've already got the funds."

  His hand, which had just reached up to pat my head in condescending big-brother fashion, froze mid-air. The look on his face was pure gold—a mix of shock, disbelief, and confusion

  Like really he froze. Is he okay though?