Chapter 01
“Is the princess of Izaris really here!”
“Oh, my God! Sonettine!”
“Sonetti, show your face!”
Taeri, who had peeked outside by slightly pushing the curtain, jumped back in shock when she saw a stone flying straight at the window. The cold touch of the wall sent a shiver down her spine.
‘Wasn’t this just a dream?’
Her eyes rolled around in confusion.
She was standing in a large room connecting the bedroom and the sitting room.
Every wall was covered in antique wallpaper, filled with furniture and decorations fit for a castle. Above, a chandelier lit with mana stones swayed gently.
The most out-of-place thing in this space was herself, wearing a pajama dress with a giant teddy bear on it.
The torn threads she always promised to cut, yet never did, and the coffee stains from sitting in front of the computer remained.
She noticed the clear logo on the silver teapot: “Hotel Izaris”. Her mind went blank.
‘Wait… am I really inside the game?’
She wanted to blame it on lack of sleep or hallucinations, but outside, the crowd was still shouting for the princess, their voices loud enough to hurt.
And if her memory served her right, the people who had treated her with care here also called her “Princess” with teary eyes.
Princess… our princess…
‘I only clicked once.’
She had played the game last night. The Black Forest of Izaris, a notoriously difficult RPG known among players.
It was meant to pass time and vent frustration.
Every year on her mother’s death anniversary, sadness would overwhelm her. That day, she was especially upset and angry.
Sitting still only made her cry, so she turned on her computer and mechanically played the game. She thought, “Even if it’s hard, I’ll see the ending by morning.”
Perhaps it was sheer stubbornness, but even after dozens of “YOU DIED” screens before the final dragon boss, she didn’t want to give up.
Reviving her character, fighting, dying, reviving again—over and over—until she almost got tired of it…
Then suddenly, a strange status window appeared on the monitor.
[Do you want to change the hero’s class from Knight to Mage?]
Change the character’s class? That wasn’t supposed to be an option. The main character was fixed as Claude the Knight.
[If you want, press YES.]
[YES, press YES.]
[YES, press YES.]
[YES, press YES.]
Despite thinking it might be a glitch, a strange hope appeared in her mind: “Can I really change it?”
[YES, press YES.]
[YES, press YES.]
[YES, pres…]
Click.
‘It really was just that one click.’
The sound of that click still echoed in her ears as Taeri sat on the floor, staring at her hands.
A mysterious energy seemed to flow through her body, visible beneath the skin.
Impulsively, she reached for the hand mirror on the table. The mirror clattered slightly, then obeyed her command, flying into her hand.
“…This can’t be real.”
The mirror hit the floor, sounding as shocking as the previous night’s click.
Inside, a woman with completely transformed features stared back. Ash-blond hair with hints of gray, rare orange eyes, and completely different facial features.
Now she truly understood the meaning of the choice window on the monitor.
[Do you want to change the hero’s class from Knight to Mage?]
YES.
She had chosen YES.
She really had become a mage. Without a doubt.
“Has the princess returned?”
“Yes. On her way, she apparently fought in the forest. Five swamp ants, three jackals, four goblins, one cave giant. An ogre wiped out a whole group. The hunt was… brutal. She was tracked from the old castle gate to the ruins.”
It happened early this morning. Claude had a day off patrol—luck or misfortune, depending on how you saw it.
“That’s a lot. She really did this alone?”
While walking to the hotel, Claude asked again and got the answer after a brief pause:
“We found palm marks in blood at the scene. They’re large, for a woman.”
“But the princess came alone, without any companions.”
That was the rough summary of events. Claude frowned as he walked, stuck behind a crowd like an ant swarm in front of the hotel.
“Princess, come out!”
“Sonettine, have some shame!”
The crowd had gathered early to witness the princess’s return. A stone from the protesters nearly hit a second-floor window at the hotel.
Such unnecessary diligence.
Claude stopped in front of a warrior who had raised a glaive, shouting to drag the princess out.
“Who said you could act like this here?”
“Oh, Governor…”
“I warned you not to disturb the peace.”
“Did you now? Ah, my memory is… weak.”
“People always say that—‘I don’t remember, I didn’t know, I forgot.’ So here’s my conclusion: if you don’t remember, you’re guilty.”
“What?!”
“You are guilty. Hang Izar in the well. And all the others too.”
Claude’s orders were carried out instantly. The rioters were tied up and taken away, protesting futilely.
“Mercy, owner of the Holy Sword…!”
Some begged for mercy, but the shining white-clad, blue-caped holy knight ignored them all.
Only after the front entrance was cleared did he calmly ascend the stairs.
“Welcome, Governor.”
The hotel manager came out even before Claude opened the door.
A middle-aged woman, hard to estimate her age. Gentle, polite, but her hands, folded neatly, looked capable of hidden danger.
“I am Manager Ansi.”
“I know who you are. Illusionist.”
She smiled politely despite the slight jab in his words.
“Where should I guide you?”
“The dining hall.”
“Right this way.”
Claude observed the marble-floored, luxurious lobby. Such a building was rare even in the old city. The facilities were excellent, the management spotless.
Except… all the staff here were mages.
Seated in the restaurant, Claude signaled for a menu.
“Are you really going to eat?”
The manager’s repeated question, her watchful eyes, and the staff avoiding his gaze made it clear:
He was not welcome here.
‘At least I found my target.’
He returned the menu unopened.
“The food here barely gets half a star. Just recommend something. Anything edible.”
“You are quite picky. That is hard to find at our hotel, sir.”
Claude suppressed a bitter smile.
‘I don’t need to pretend I want to die, but I still have to pay for the seat.’
“Then two dishes, please. One for me, one for my guest.”
He noticed the manager hesitate for the first time and pushed:
“Is there a guest?”
“I wish to see someone staying here.”
Claude’s cold, playful eyes shone beneath his hair:
“Go tell them the Governor wishes to see the Princess. If they refuse, I’ll come tomorrow, but today is better.”
The manager swallowed her resistance.
“Understood. I’ll pass the message and order immediately.”
“Good.”
“Governor.”
“Yes?”
“Even if the guest refuses the invitation, you must still pay for two dishes.”
Claude smiled and paid in advance.
“I’ll pay anything to see the Princess.”
“Here, juice.”
A cocktail with lemon and a tiny umbrella was served.
Then, boldly, a woman sat opposite Claude—not the manager, not a staff member. She wore a strange patterned dress, hiding her upper body with a long shawl.
‘Ah… there’s no fitting clothes for me yet.’ she said, yawning slightly. Claude noticed her orange, star-like eyes.
