"A lancer? Strongest warriors on the continent? What in the world are you talking about?"

Charles continued to press Koren for the details as they stared at the strange duo still hovering in the sky. Koren tried to gather his thoughts and attempted to explain.

"Well, a lancer is essentially a chosen few warriors who help combat the chaos monsters on the continent. It's best to think of them as a sort of continental police force of sorts. They are assigned to various nations and help to exterminate chaos monsters."

"I see... so it's like an order of knights huh?"

"More or less I guess."

Just as their conversation came to a close. The duo began to descend towards the ground, causing Koren to grow even more nervous as their silhouettes soon disappeared and their faces came into full view. The woman had an extremely mature aura around her. She seemed to be in her early 30s. The man next to her seemed to be of a similar age, although he looked more like one of those aides who stand next to the general during meetings.

The surrounding civilians who were busy with all sorts of things in the aftermath went completely silent, standing still and watching as this duo touched the ground. They stood next to the corpse of the wyvern, staring and confirming that it was dead.

"Seems like a confirmed kill Lady Claudia."

"Of course it is, or are you suggesting my spears weren't enough to kill a measly wyvern Mark?"

"Not at all! I was still in shock that a wyvern came this close to the city."

The man spoke in a hesitant and nervous tone, with every word coming out of his mouth being spoken with absolute caution. He seemed to be very afraid of saying the wrong thing in front of the woman.

"Well, whatever! Clean up the mess and we'll be on our way."

"Yes, my Lady."

Taking a short bow, the man quickly got to work. He had chanted some sort of incantation that caused the wyvern's body to completely vanish, at least that's what it appeared like to the common folk.

(Storage magic huh? That's a rare one. He must be a member of the Vanita clan.)

"That incantation was so short. He must be really skilled."

Before they knew it, the woman named Claudia was approaching them. The closer she got, the stronger her aura got. It was so overwhelming that Koren couldn't help but bow in respect to her.

"So you're the one who held the wyvern off before we arrived?"

Her tone was brash and rude. It seemed more like an interrogation than anything else.

"Yeah."

"Well, you did decent given the situation you were in. Your movements were very clean from what I saw. You practice swordsmanship or something?"

"I was taught by an old friend of mine a long time ago. That's all. I couldn't compare much to a knight from any country."

"Is that so?"

Immediately, she closed the distance between Charles and her, observing every part of his face as if trying to find out if he was hiding something. Charles simply stood still as she examined him like some sort of specimen. Even after having stared at him for a long time, she still stared at him with suspicion.

"What's your name?"

"Charles. Just Charles."

"You don't have a family name?"

"Unfortunately not. Plus I quite like being simply known as Charles."

"I see... I'm Claudia Lancer from the Marquisian Empire."

"EH?! You...You're Claudia Lancer... That Claudia Lancer?!"

Koren seemed to have fainted from the sheer mention of her name. Charles had deduced that she was probably a bigshot in the lancer ranks.

"Is your friend okay?"

"Yeah don't worry about it."

Charles spoke as he grabbed Koren by the arm, attempting to get him up.

"He's probably just too honoured to be speaking with the real Claudia Lancer."

Mark who had finished tidying up the mess and restoring the damaged parts of the city, came up behind us to introduce himself.

"I'm Mark Volaria. The guide of this lancer you see here."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Charles."

The pair shook hands as they spoke a little more about the event that had just occurred.

"We were pretty surprised seeing a wyvern rampaging through a city so inland."

"Something must've caused it to migrate away. After all, wyverns don't really live in packs like dragons. "

Now that he had more time to think about it, Charles realised that it really wasn't that strange for wyverns to suddenly appear in cities located so far inland. Especially during the middle part of the year right now, since the South where they come from is usually the entry point for monsters coming towards the continent. It's no surprise they would attempt to flee.

"It was probably fleeing from some monsters down South, it's that time of the year where they start coming in again."

Just as Charles was busy pondering this, the two of them stared at him in shock after hearing what he said.

"You're pretty knowledgeable huh? Most people don't really know when the chaos monsters start arriving on the continent since they're taken care of before they can make their presence known."

"Yeah, information like this is only available to military personnel."

(So that's what they call those beasts now huh. Chaos monsters. What a strange name.)

He could feel their gazes of suspicion grow stronger. It would be difficult for him if they decided to bring him somewhere for further questioning. Charles decided to simply brush it off with a quick answer that would clear their suspicion.

"I know this because I used to live near the coast and so I happened to witness them arriving one time. That's all."

"Oh? That makes more sense then. If you're from the southern coast then you should be familiar with it. Although you don't really look Magnolian or Marquisian. I'm assuming you're an immigrant."

This time, Claudia glared at him with ever-growing suspicion as Charles quickly replied so as to not arouse further suspicion

"Yep, you're right on the money!"

(Haha, good thing they filled in the blanks for you.)

He could hear Pandora mocking him in his head as he heaved a sigh of relief at dodging this situation.

"Either way, thanks for your help against the wyvern. We need to go report this so we'll be on our way."

The two then took off as quickly as they arrived.

"I guess that's taken care of."

(It's a good idea not to let anyone know your true identity. The last thing you and I want is to get caught up in some political nonsense.)

"Yeah, I got it."

Picking Koren up. Charles headed towards the Milonic Trading Guild building. The Guild were the ones who had rescued him from his slumber in the ice and were the same ones he owed a massive debt to. Entering the massive building, he witnessed a sight he had grown used to every time he visited the building. Merchants and traders of every culture and race talking and having a good time. The Guild was one of the few places in the Castorian Empire that didn't care if you were human or not. So long as you brought in the money, you were accepted as one of them.

Heading up to the quieter second level, Charles knocked on the door to the chairman's office.

"Come in."

His voice was gentle and very warm. Not the kind of voice you would expect from the leader of a trading guild. Yet Charles had learnt that behind that warm voice was an extremely shrewd mind. He was, after all, the same man who outsmarted the elitist Castorian government to grant his guild full rights over large portions of trade routes in Castoria.

"Yo boss, I'm here like you wanted me to."

"Oh if it isn't Charles. I heard you played an important role in taking that wyvern down."

"Please don't tease me like that. it wasn't a very fun experience."

"Oh come on now, you're the talk of the town. Although... I'm assuming you're here because you accepted the job request Koren offered."

"Yeah...well, I wouldn't mind trying if it means I can pay my debt back quicker."

His office was adorned with bookshelves in every single language the continent had. It was also quite nicely organised. The room was filled with some rare items from different nations but nothing too expensive. It wouldn't be very smart to let your office be the target of thieves.

Taking a seat in front of him. Charles felt the relaxed atmosphere from him to be nothing like other merchants he had dealt with in the past. Even though he had only known him for 3 months, he was someone he found quite reliable at keeping to his word. Such was the nature of Victor Sazanof, the chairman of the Milonic Trading Guild.

"So...what do you need to tell me in person about this job."

"Well, I just wanted to sort out the details of the job. You can finalise your contract with the employer when he gets here."

"Sure..."

"Your job is pretty simple. You are to be a servant and escort to the 4th princess of the Pavone Kingdom."

"Eh? I thought she was just some noble but the princess of the kingdom huh?"

Charles had expected a more cushy job assignment to some random noble. Now he learnt he would be helping the royal family of a kingdom.

"No wonder I can pay my debt back in just 2 years."

"Yeah, the pay is quite substantial. After all, you'll be doing a lot of travelling."

"Is that why you need someone skilled in navigation and geography of the continent."

"Exactly."

Victor nodded his head in agreement as he picked up his cup of tea to take a sip before continuing.

"You see... the 4th princess was recently discovered to be a potential Lancer candidate."

"A lancer huh?"

His mind returned back to the sight of the lancer he had just seen. He wondered if all lancers were as rude and brash as her.

"Yeah because of that, her future plans have to be altered. She'll have to attend the magic academy that all lancers are required to attend before becoming full-fledged lancers."

"The magic academy?"

His voice was full of confusion. After all, since the 3 months, he had awoken, Charles didn't have much time to learn about the political state of the continent or some of the places that had been constructed after he was sealed. He was still extremely skilled in navigation though, able to pinpoint certain paths and routes not known to many. Having helped Victor and his guild on several occasions deliver goods and allow his merchants to cross areas previously thought to be impossible to reach during that time of the year.

Victor pulled out a map of the continent before pointing towards the location of the magic academy.

"The magic academy is located at a sort of neutral zone between the nations. Since anyone from anywhere can enrol."

"I see... so no one owns the land?"

"Technically the academy owns it but it's meant to be a joint partnership and sign of good faith between the countries. Although the current situation in the continent has caused the academy to temporarily stop accepting new students."

"So what about the princess then?"

Just as he asked that question, a knock on the door could be heard as Victor allowed for the person to enter.

"I'll let this person explain."

Introducing the man who entered the room as Marcus, who was the kings representative and a long time friend of Victor, which is probably why he came to him with such a job request in the first place.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Marcus Vladimos."

"Charles. Nice to meet you."

As Marcus took a seat. He began to explain a little more in-depth about the details regarding the job and what Charles would need to do.

"To answer the question you asked Victor. The magic academy will only officially accept new students around a year from now. During that time there will be a few things you need to do if you accept this job."

"What are these things exactly?"

"First off, you'll need to move to the Kingdom of Pavone and stay in one of the royal owned areas. Secondly, you'll need to undergo around 2 months of training in Pavonian culture and how to be an escort and servant to a member of the royal family."

"I see..."

The first point wasn't exactly anything to Charles. The idea of a home hadn't really crossed his mind since everything was different from his time. It didn't really matter whether he was staying in Castoria or Pavone. The second point was a little off-putting though since Charles knew exactly what sort of training he would be undergoing. It was most likely a crash course in etiquette and all that other courtly nonsense he hated even back then. Despite that though, he continued to listen after it was mentioned all his expenses would be paid for.

"Thirdly, after your training is done you and the princess will need to make your way to the Academy yourselves. Since it's located in the neutral city of Alecria. The king believes this is the best way for the princess to learn about the continent and experience life there."

"I'm assuming she was raised her whole life in the palace?"

"You are correct on that."

"I see."

'I really hope she's not one of those pampered ones'. Charles thought to himself at that moment.

(Still, that's quite an adventurous king letting his daughter just go out into the wilderness and experience life like that. You'd never let those 3 ever do that.)

Unfortunately, Charles couldn't respond to Pandora since he was with other people but at that moment he really felt like hitting him.

"Being a lancer in training also requires her to undergo certain missions, this will of course be accompanied by her training of course."

"So I'll have to do this for 2 years until she becomes a lancer?"

"Yes, lancer candidates only require a year at the academy before they are assessed and given the rank if they succeed. Once she becomes a lancer, you will be finished with your job and awarded a small sum after."

"You're serious?!"

Charles slammed the table after hearing that statement, before quickly composing himself and sitting back down after apologising.

Charles once again thought this through. The prospects really didn't sound all too bad. He wouldn't have to worry about money for the next 2 years and after that, he would be free. He wanted to be free of this debt as soon as possible so he could settle down somewhere and live his life out peacefully, in order to do that he would need to take the only opportunity he had now.

"Well, what's the worst that could happen? I'll do it."

Taking out the contract that was already prepared, they sealed it with a spell involving Charles saying an oath. It ensured that if he broke the contract, he would forever be known as a criminal and would be unable to live his life normally ever again.

"To be honest I had my suspicions about you but since Victor recommended you and thinks highly of your skills. I'll trust him."

Shaking their hands to affirm the deal, Charles and Marcus parted ways.

Heading back to the inn, Charles laid down on his bed, closing his eyes as he pondered the future that was ahead for him after he signed that contract.

"I'm required to be in the Pavone Kingdom by next month huh?"

(Seems like you've got 2 years of babysitting huh?)

"Oh shut up, I'm doing this so I can get rid of this debt."

Charles found himself sitting in a well-decorated area. It seemed almost like he was sitting on the ocean floor. The chair and table he sat on were dyed blue and seemed transparent of sorts. The person sitting opposite of him is the same voice he had been conversing within his head. His hair was light blue and his features were incredibly attractive. A slender figure accompanied by it.

"Seems like we'll need to do a lot of studying regarding the current state of the continent huh? There's a lot we don't seem to know."

(Indeed. We're simply too clueless to know much now.)

"Don't worry about that. Once I get my hands on some books I'll ensure you get right to studying."

(Oi hold on. Why am I the one who has to study?)

"I'll have my hands full doing my job. Besides, you look pretty free in here anyway. Since you don't have to focus on keeping my mana flowing properly you have a lot of free time. Would be nice to help out you know?"

(Well... it is getting pretty boring in here. I've already played every game in your memory hundreds of times.)

Taking a sip from his cup that was also a transparent blue. Pandora began to sulk at having to study but ultimately accepted and obliged.

"Well, let's hope everything goes well huh?"

Heading off to bed after bidding farewell to Pandora.

Charles continued living his normal life for the next few weeks, gathering small funds to pay for his trip and packing what little belongings he had to Pavone. Since he didn't need to pay his monthly fee anymore after accepting the job, he had a surplus of cash. Just like that 2 weeks passed by and he was ready to set out to the Kingdom of Pavone.

"Well then, I guess it's time huh?"

(Yep, goodbye to the beautiful city we stayed in.)

"It wasn't beautiful at all."

Getting onto his horse he purchased, Charles made his way out of the city and towards the port that would take him to the Island Nation of Pavone.