The early morning breeze carried the scent of the Royal Capital as Cid Kageno stood on the balcony, gazing down at the city below. The sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink, the streets slowly coming to life as merchants set up their stalls and knights patrolled the cobblestone roads.
"Yup, this place is definitely not the one I was operating in a day ago," Cid muttered to himself, his expression unreadable.
He lifted his hand, channelling his magic. A faint, flickering glow surrounded his palm before dimming almost instantly. A small frown formed on his lips.
"I can feel it… even my magic feels out of place here." He flexed his fingers, noting the unusual strain. "It gets drained more easily in here."
He let out a long yawn, stretching his arms above his head. "The only plausible theory is that I got sent into the next important event of the story… without getting a notification. How annoying."
Before he could dwell on it further, a voice came from behind the door.
"His Highness, Prince Fourier, is entering."
The door swung open, revealing a young man with refined features and a warm smile.
"Good morning," Fourier greeted.
Cid studied the young man before him, his gaze sharp yet unreadable.
So guy is supposed to be a prince? He radiates a warm and lively energy…
His eyes narrowed slightly.
This guy… he's definitely the protagonist.
Suppressing a sigh, Cid put on his usual neutral expression and greeted, "Good morning."
Fourier's smile brightened. "I was hoping to take a walk around the palace. Would you care to accompany me?"
Pushing his agenda onto others?
Cid thought to himself.
Yep, he's definitely the protagonist. If I want to maintain my perfect background character persona, I need to get away from him immediately.
Feigning disinterest, Cid started, "Ah, I appreciate the offer, but I really should—"
"Let's go." Fourier cut him off with a firm yet cheerful tone, already turning toward the door.
Cid blinked.
The protagonist's energy is overwhelming…
He sighed inwardly.
This is going to be a hassle.
Later on...
As Cid and Fourier strolled through the grand hallway, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor.
Fourier, walking with an easy grace, glanced at Cid with curiosity. "So, Cid Kageno, where are you from?"
Cid, hands tucked into his pockets, furrowed his brow.
Kingdom names, kingdom names…
His past world's geography wasn't exactly something he memorized, but one name came to mind. With a casual shrug, he answered, "I think it was called Kingdom of M-Midgar."
Fourier abruptly stopped. His wide-eyed expression was followed by a sudden, hearty laugh. His sharp yaeba gleamed as he grinned. "You have such a unique sense of humour!"
Cid blinked. Huh?
"But I wasn't lying," he stated, tilting his head slightly in confusion.
Still chuckling, Fourier gestured toward a massive mural on the castle wall. It depicted a grand map of the continent, with detailed illustrations of mountains, rivers, and grand cities. He traced a finger along a large kingdom in the centre.
"This is the Kingdom of Lugunica," Fourier explained. "And these are its neighbouring lands—Kararagi, Gusteko, and Vollachia." He turned back to Cid, his expression amused. "But Midgar? I've never heard of it."
Cid's gaze locked onto the map, his expression still unreadable, but inwardly, his mind was racing.
Oi oi oi… this is an entirely different continent from the one before.
His fingers twitched slightly as he traced the borders of the various kingdoms—Lugunica, Kararagi, Gusteko, and Vollachia. None of these names matched the ones from his previous world.
Fourier, still smiling, observed his reaction with mild curiosity. "Assuming it will be easier for you with this map, you can just point to where you're from."
Cid quickly masked his surprise, slipping into his perfected background character mode.
Since I have no idea what this place is, my best bet is to lay low, blend in with the surroundings, and gather enough information. When the time is right, I'll make my move as The Eminence in Shadow.
His eyes swept over the map, searching for a plausible location.
A place where poor and uncivilized people could live… A desert could be good.
His gaze first landed on Kararagi, but he immediately reconsidered.
Wait. That would be the first option anyone would pick. If I want to outsmart them, I should choose somewhere else.
Shifting his attention to the far end of the map, his finger landed on an uncharted area. "There. I was born there."
Fourier's expression froze. A beat of silence passed before he let out a small chuckle, albeit a slightly strained one. "Surely your parents must have been travellers, right?"
Cid nodded with practised ease. "Yes, travellers. My parents were poor and travelled a lot."
Fourier let out a breath of relief, placing a hand over his chest. "Thanks Volcanica… Because there's no way anyone could live anywhere near the Pleiades Watchtower."
Later on...
Fourier and Cid walked through the bustling capital, the streets filled with merchants calling out their wares and commoners going about their daily lives.
Cid, hands in his pockets, glanced at Fourier. "I appreciate the fact that you're showing me around the city, but… why so many guards?"
Fourier, who had been cheerfully waving to a group of children, turned his head toward the knights following closely behind him. With a wry smile, he said, "Please, pay them no attention." Then, with a slight sigh, he added, "Although I told them there was no need to guard me, they still insisted. It was my father's order."
He turned back toward Cid—only to find empty space where he had been standing.
"Huh?" Fourier blinked, his expression shifting to mild confusion. "Cid?"
The knights, noticing the prince's confusion, also looked around. When Fourier turned to them with a questioning glance, they silently gestured that they had no idea where Cid had gone either.
Meanwhile, in a shadowed alleyway, Cid leaned against the wall, letting out a breath.
"Walking around with that guy could completely destroy my background character persona," he muttered to himself.
Crossing his arms, he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Seriously, doesn't he have some kind of princess to chase after instead of me?"
Before he could contemplate his next move, a calm voice spoke from behind him.
"Are you, perhaps, talking about His Highness?"
Cid stiffened slightly and turned around.
Standing, there was a young man with golden eyes and light purple hair arranged neatly—except for a single strand that hung stylishly over his face. His uniform was pristine, and his aura refined.
Cid stared at him, taking in his appearance.
What the hell is this place? Now I've run into an Otome Game character.
Cid blinked rapidly, schooling his expression into one of exaggerated surprise. "M-Me? I said nothing!" he stammered, waving his hands in front of him in mock panic.
The young man before him merely raised an eyebrow, his golden eyes unreadable.
Not wanting to push his luck, Cid quickly attempted to sidestep the situation. He straightened his posture and gave a small, awkward chuckle. "I was just passing by," he added nonchalantly before making a move to walk past the stranger.
But just as he took his first step, he felt it.
A subtle shift in the air.
The faint scrape of metal leaves its sheath.
His instincts kicked in immediately, stretching time in his perception. The movement of the sword was slow—painfully slow, like watching a raindrop slide down a windowpane.
Oh?
A grin threatened to tug at the corners of his lips.
His fingers twitched, itching to respond. The urge to parry, to counter, to completely outmanoeuvre this guy in an instant burned within him. But instead—
Cid stumbled backwards, eyes wide in apparent terror, his arms flailing dramatically as he let out a small gasp. "W-Wait! What's going on here?!"
The young man's gaze remained cold, his sword now hovering just inches from Cid's face.
"You were with His Highness earlier," he stated, his tone steady. "And now, you're avoiding him."
Cid swallowed hard, keeping up his act.
The young man pressed forward, the tip of his blade glinting in the dim light. "What are your intentions?"
Cid's entire body trembled as he stared at the gleaming blade, his eyes darting between the weapon and the cold, golden gaze of the young man before him. His mind raced.
Alright, alright. I have two options here. I can either scream like a helpless commoner or… I could go all out and just pee myself.
His lips twitched as he weighed his choices. A scream would be dramatic, but wetting himself? That would guarantee total background character status!
Before he could commit to his act, a firm yet calm voice rang out from the alley entrance.
"Leave him alone."
The tension in the air shifted instantly. Cid barely resisted the urge to let out a relieved sigh. Instead, he widened his eyes further as if barely holding himself together.
From the corner of his vision, he saw Fourier stepping into the alley, his usual warm expression tinged with a slight frown.
"I can't decide if this guy just saved me twice… or completely sabotaged my background character moments," Cid muttered under his breath.
The moment their gazes met, the young man smoothly sheathed his sword in one fluid motion, his demeanour shifting from one of suspicion to unwavering respect. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply.
"Your Highness," he greeted, his voice steady.
Fourier sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Julius, I understand that you're only doing your duty, but Cid is my friend."
Julius hesitated for a brief moment before nodding. "I merely wished to clear my suspicions, Your Highness. I apologize for my behaviour."
Fourier offered him a forgiving smile. "Apology accepted. Now, please, stand."
Julius obeyed, rising smoothly. Then, he turned to Cid and, in an almost theatrical fashion, placed one hand over his chest and bowed slightly.
"I am Julius Juukulius, knight of the Royal Guard. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Cid stared at him. His perfectly styled hair, his refined posture, the way he oozed charm and nobility…
Yup. Definitely an Otome character.
As Cid was still processing that thought, Julius cast another glance at Fourier.
"Though I still have my doubts about this fellow, I am more than certain that he poses no threat," he admitted. Then, with a small, knowing smirk, he added, "After all, even Your Highness could put him down with ease."
Cid's eye twitched.
Somehow, Julius' words stung more than it should.
"Y-Yeah, I'm totally harmless! Just a regular guy, you know? Definitely not someone who could... uh... do anything remotely interesting," Cid stammered, scratching the back of his head nervously. He even added a small, awkward laugh for good measure.
Julius raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Your Highness, are you certain this is the company you wish to keep? He seems... rather inept."
Fourier chuckled, patting Cid on the shoulder. "Oh, don't be so harsh, Julius. Cid here is just... unique. Isn't that right, Cid?"
Cid nodded vigorously, his eyes wide with feigned innocence. "Unique! Yes, that's me! You probably won't even remember me tomorrow!"
Julius sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Your Highness, I must insist—"
Before Julius could finish, Cid suddenly dropped to the ground, clutching his stomach dramatically. "Oh no! I think I ate something bad! The street food! It's attacking me from the inside!" He rolled around on the cobblestones, groaning loudly.
Fourier blinked, taken aback. "Cid? Are you alright?"
Julius, however, was not amused. He crossed his arms and stared down at Cid with a deadpan expression. "This is the most pathetic display I've ever witnessed."
Cid, undeterred, continued his performance. "It's so painful! I think I'm dying! Someone call a healer! Or a priest! Or a chef who knows how to cook properly!"
A small crowd began to gather, murmuring amongst themselves. Fourier, ever the gracious prince, knelt beside Cid. "Cid, perhaps we should get you to a healer—"
"No!" Cid shouted, springing to his feet with surprising agility. "I mean, no, Your Highness, I wouldn't want to trouble you. I'll just... walk it off. Yes, that's it. A nice, quiet walk. Alone. In the shadows. Where no one can see me."
Julius's eye twitched. "Your Highness, I must reiterate—"
But Cid was already backing away, waving his hands frantically. "No need to worry about me! I'll just... disappear now. Poof!"
With that, Cid turned and bolted down the alley, his footsteps echoing loudly. Fourier watched him go, a bemused smile on his face. "He's certainly... something."
Julius sighed deeply. "Your Highness, I fear for your safety if you continue to associate with such... individuals."
Fourier chuckled, clapping Julius on the shoulder. "Oh, lighten up, Julius. Life would be dreadfully boring without a little chaos, don't you think?"
Fourier watched as Cid disappeared into the shadows of the alleyway, his expression softening as he let out a small, contemplative sigh. He glanced down at the ground, his thoughts drifting.
"That guy... he makes me feel different, you know," Fourier murmured, his voice tinged with a rare vulnerability.
Julius, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow. "How so, Your Highness?"
Fourier smiled faintly, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Cid had vanished. "My life is quite... prescribed. Every interaction, every conversation, every moment is calculated. It's rare for me to have genuine interactions with others outside of my two close friends. But with him... Cid treats me like an ordinary person. No titles, no formalities, no expectations. It's... refreshing."
Julius's expression remained neutral, though a flicker of concern passed through his eyes. "Your Highness, while I understand the appeal of such interactions, I must caution you. Not everyone has pure intentions, especially those who seem... unconventional."
Fourier chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You worry too much, Julius. Sometimes, it's nice to step out of the role of 'prince' and just be... Fourier."
Julius opened his mouth to respond but hesitated, ultimately choosing to remain silent. He gave a small nod, though his gaze lingered on the alleyway, his thoughts clearly still troubled.
Meanwhile, in a secluded alleyway, Cid strolled casually, stretching his arms behind his head. "Thank god, now I'm free," he muttered with a satisfied grin.
He took a few steps forward before pausing, rubbing his chin. "Now then… what should my next step be?"
With a casual leap, he jumped onto a high rooftop, landing smoothly as he took in the view of the sprawling capital. His gaze lingered on the distant Royal Palace, a smirk creeping onto his lips. "This place definitely needs some fixing."
Before he could entertain that thought further, a sharp, annoyed voice rang out behind him.
"What the heck are you doing here? Have you lost your mind or something?"
Cid turned his head, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected interruption. Standing there was a small girl, probably nine or ten years old, with medium-length golden hair tied with a black bow. She stood with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Cid blinked, taking in her expression and size before muttering, "What's with this sassy… lost child?"
The girl, Felt, scoffed, planting her hands on her hips. "Lost? You're the one messing around on rooftops like some weirdo. You ain't from around here, are ya?"
Cid's smirk widened slightly. "Now that's an interesting question."
Felt narrowed her eyes, gripping her newfound prize—the thick stack of cash she had just swiped—before waving it teasingly in front of Cid. "You were saying, weirdo?"
Cid blinked, then patted his pockets. Empty. His smirk faltered.
"Huh?" He tilted his head, staring at the money in her hands.
Felt grinned smugly, flicking through the bills with one hand like a seasoned pro. "You're pretty slow, huh? Didn't even notice me taking it."
Cid furrowed his brows, still trying to process what had just happened. "That's impossible. You weren't even that quick."
Felt wagged a finger at him, her grin widening. "Pffft. It ain't about speed, dummy. It's about technique."
Cid folded his arms, staring at her intently. "Technique, huh?"
Then, as if casually adjusting his stance, he lifted his hand—and suddenly, he was holding a small leather bag full of coins.
Felt's smugness froze on her face. Her eyes darted to her belt. Her pouch, which had been secured tightly just moments ago… was gone.
"What the—?!" She patted her waist frantically, then pointed at Cid. "Oi! That's mine!"
Cid smirked, bouncing the bag of money in his palm. "Oh? It's not about speed, right? It's about technique."
Felt's eye twitched. "You—!"
Cid untied the pouch and peeked inside. "Not bad. This could probably get me a week's worth of food… or a ridiculous amount of meat skewers." He nodded approvingly.
Felt stomped her foot. "Gimme that back!"
Cid held up a finger, feigning deep thought. "Hmm… but see, I don't think you actually need it. I mean, you clearly have enough skill to get more, right?"
Felt lunged forward, trying to snatch it back, but Cid casually sidestepped, twirling the pouch in his fingers.
"Come on, brat, quit messing around!"
Cid chuckled. "Brat? That's rich coming from you, sassy lost child."
Felt clenched her fists. "I ain't lost, ya damn weirdo! This is my turf!"
Cid hummed, tossing the pouch up and catching it again. "That so?"
Felt gritted her teeth, then took a deep breath. She relaxed her stance, smirked, and crossed her arms.
Cid raised an eyebrow. "Giving up already?"
"Nah." Felt flicked her nose. "Just thinkin' how funny it'll be when Rom hears you stole from me."
Cid froze. "...Who?"
As if on cue, a deep, rumbling voice echoed behind him.
"You stole from my girl?"
Cid turned his head slowly. Looming behind him was a massive old man with a bald head, a thick beard, and a club the size of a tree trunk resting on his shoulder. His expression was neutral, but the sheer presence he had was suffocating.
Cid blinked. "Oh."
Felt's grin turned downright evil. "Yeah. Oh."
Cid weighed his options. He could:
• Try to talk his way out.
• Engage in high-speed tactical retreat.
• Accept his fate.
He quickly decided on Option 2.
"Welp, would you look at the time?" Cid tossed the pouch back at Felt and immediately turned on his heel. "Gotta go, super urgent, bye!"
He took off, leaping across rooftops with impressive agility.
Felt caught the pouch, shaking her head. "Dumbass."
Rom sighed, lowering his club. "Brat, you gotta stop antagonizing people."
Felt shrugged. "Eh. He started it."
Rom scratched his beard, watching Cid disappear into the distance. "That kid… he's weird."
Felt snorted. "Tell me about it."
Later that evening...
Cid Kagenou stood at the edge of a tall building. The sprawling capital stretched beneath him, a chaotic dance of merchants, knights, and commoners exchanging goods, services, and gossip. He slowly lifted his hand, studying his open palm with narrowed eyes.
"My magic is definitely not working right around here…" he muttered.
His gaze flickered downward to the bustling marketplace. Coins clinked, hands exchanged currency, deals were made and broken in the blink of an eye. Money. A foreign object in one's hands was worthless—until it was recognized by the world around it.
His fingers dipped into his pocket, retrieving a handful of his own currency. He turned the coins over in his palm, scrutinizing them. Then, a thought struck him.
"Wait… my magic works just like this cash." His lips curled into a smirk. "It's foreign. It can't be used here. But if it's converted… if it's accepted by this world's system—then I can wield it."
He snapped his fingers, a sharp sound lost in the city's din.
"I'm brilliant. Beta should've taken note of this if she were here."
His eyes gleamed as he surveyed the city once more. This place—this system—had rules. And at the heart of it all, something made the magic here flow, pulse, breathe.
Now, he just had to find it.
Closing his eyes, Cid exhaled slowly and let himself sink into his heightened perception—his world of accelerated thought, where time slowed to a near halt. The cityscape stilled. People frozen mid-stride, coins hanging in the air, banners caught in an unmoving breeze.
And then, he searched.
He didn't need long.
Deep beneath the land, a warmth called out—a rhythmic, steady beat. It wasn't just magic. It was a heartbeat.
Od Lagna.
A warm, ancient force, both welcoming and cautious, like a great guardian watching over the land.
Cid channelled his magic toward it, pouring his energy into the swirling depths. His goal? To have his power recognized—to be acknowledged by this world as its own.
But the more he gave, the slower Od Lagna accepted it.
Cid frowned. "So, dumping everything at once overwhelms it…"
He smirked, making a childish comparison in his mind—like trying to feed a kid too much at once and watching them pout in defiance.
Pulling back, he adjusted. Half. A measured flow.
This time, Od Lagna accepted at least half of his magic.
Cid opened his eyes, exhaling as his perception returned to normal. He stretched his arms above his head, rolling his shoulders.
"At least for now, I can use half my power freely."
The city below began to move again. The wind picked up. Time resumed.
Then—
A shadow.
Something streaked down from the sky, descending at an impossible speed.
Cid's eyes widened slightly. He stepped back, raising an eyebrow as the figure crashed into the rooftop before him, landing with the force of a meteor.
The impact sent a gust of wind through the air. Dust and debris swirled around the kneeling figure, but as it cleared, Cid got a good look at him.
Scarlet hair. Blue eyes like polished steel. A white and gold knight's uniform, pristine even after the fall.
The man rose slowly from his hero's landing, back straight, gaze sharp. His presence alone seemed to make the world around him stand still, his aura one of absolute, unshakable might.
And then, he spoke.
"Never—since I pledged myself to be the sword of the Kingdom of Lugunica and to uphold the good of this world—have I felt Od Lagna in such turmoil." His eyes locked onto Cid, unwavering, unrelenting. "A disturbance greater than any before… a force unknown."
He took a step forward.
"And it originates from where you stand."
The air around them tensed, charged with unseen power.
Cid's smirk grew as he crossed his arms, scrutinizing the man before him.
From all the characters I've encountered here today…
This guy screams Built Different.
The air crackled between them.
The Eminence in Shadow.
The Sword Saint.
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