I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 833 - Side Story 106: Mirror World (4)

In truth, Rudger was actually more confused.

He had thought he would come to a different world, and had mentally prepared himself that it might be governed by different laws than the world he currently lived in.

But he never expected the genders to be reversed.

'What's curious is that Rene and I didn't appear separately in this world, but rather assimilated with our existing counterparts here.'

In this world, there was no Rudger Chelici, but Rudsela Chelici. And naturally, just like Rudger, she was abandoned blood of the Bretus Holy Kingdom.

Most elements overlapped.

'But not everything is identical.'

The gender was immediately different, but the incidents that had occurred in between were also somewhat different. First of all, the Holy Kingdom in this world had less power than the world Rudger knew. It wouldn't be wrong to say it was practically half-ruined.

That alone had significantly reduced the scale of events that should have occurred across the entire continent. This world was a more peaceful place than the world he knew.

In a way, it was natural. This place was a parallel world similar yet different from the world he lived in. Branches growing from the same root couldn't all be identical. Some branches have more leaves, and some bear more fruit.

'Then should I consider the mirror world as a device that allows one to directly experience life by possessing or identifying with oneself in these divergent parallel worlds?'

Even Rudger couldn't be certain about this. Even Rene, who made the device, wouldn't know.

'There's still too little information. As I try more experiments, I'll likely encounter other unexpected variables.'

The path of magic seems grand, but it's actually a continuous process that's more arduous than it appears. One shouldn't rush, jumping two or three steps at a time like climbing stairs. No matter how busy or impatient, accumulating knowledge step by step slowly. That was what a mage should do.

Above all, what was important right now was the current situation.

While walking down the corridor with Rene, or rather Rienon in this place, Rudger kept twisting his shoulders or stopping his steps, as if uncomfortable with his body.

"What's wrong?"

Rienon, who had a keen eye for such things, asked.

"No, it's nothing." 

"For nothing, you seem quite uncomfortable." 

"I wouldn't say uncomfortable..."

Rudsela was about to speak but let out a deep sigh. With his old personality, he would have easily hidden such minor discomfort. Even if he showed signs, he wouldn't have let it out to others.

But now it was different. Rudger had changed and could now easily form bonds with people or ask for help.

"Huu. I'm just having trouble adapting. The female body has a noticeably different center of gravity, starting with walking."

Fundamentally, the physical differences between men and women are clear. Women have developed lower bodies while men have developed upper body muscles. Though there are individual differences, this was the average.

And though it sounds funny to say this, something not being where it should be and something being where it shouldn't be created an indescribably strange feeling.

It felt like an unfamiliar body, yet with the added awareness that it was originally his body, the confusion doubled.

"For that, when you entered the classroom earlier, your gait was really good? It was like watching a model." 

"At that time, I had to move while concentrating as much as possible."

Though he appeared fine on the outside, he was consuming considerable mental energy inside.

"Ah, so that's why." 

"Well, it seems I don't usually enjoy wearing skirts and wear ordinary shoes instead of high-heeled ones."

Rudsela lightly brushed up the bangs that had fallen down.

"Mmm. Anyway, I'm not adapting well. First of all, what I'm wearing is different from usual." 

"Really? I don't really know. I have this feeling that it was always like this." 

"Perhaps each person accepts it differently." 

"Ah. That might be true. Big sis...I mean, Teacher has lived longer than me. Maybe how one accepts it differs according to the years lived? Or if one's ego is firm, the assimilation rate might be lower."

Rienon, being a natural mage, began to sparkle at the interesting hypothesis.

"Uh, um. Anyway, that's why I'm paying attention to many things differently than usual." 

"Hmm. I'm more curious, but since you're troubled, Teacher, I'll stop here. But will you be okay? If you're like this during the next class, someone might notice something's strange." 

"...No, it's not that bad. And there are no more classes, so there's no need to worry." 

"Ah. That's fortunate. Oh my. Look at me. I have a next class, so I should get going."

Rudsela nodded. Unlike herself, Rienon seemed to have adapted well without much resistance.

'Am I the only one reacting sensitively?'

Perhaps, as Rienon said, there were differences in acceptance depending on individual tendencies and how firm one's ego was.

'First, I need to get as accustomed as possible.'

According to Rienon, the period they could stay here wouldn't exceed one week. In other words, if unlucky, they might fill exactly one week.

In a situation where they might spend several more days in this body, he decided to go with adapting as much as possible for now.

Rudsela, who was walking down the corridor, stopped. Her reflection appeared in a full-length mirror on one wall.

Quite tall for a woman, with pants and a shirt that fit the body perfectly, and a coat worn over them. Ebony-like straight hair flowing past the waist to below the hips. And that characteristic blade-like atmosphere.

It was a familiar appearance, yet also a strange self at the same time. Therefore, Rudsela could examine her appearance objectively.

'Hmm. Definitely a beauty. Though the atmosphere is cold, she'd be quite popular among male students.'

The stiffly hardened expression was a problem, if anything. If she had a slightly richer expression, she would surely be a beauty of tremendous popularity.

Just as she was staring at her reflection she belatedly discovered a man with familiar yet unfamiliar pink hair standing beside her.

"Teacher Rudsela. What are you doing here?"

Rudsela was startled but didn't show it, staring at the other person. A handsome man with light pink hair like vibrant spring petals. The name came to mind after a slight time difference.

"Ah. Teacher Sellion."

The spirit studies teacher who had been Selina in the place he knew. Here, he was teaching spirit studies under the name Sellion.

An appearance between boy and young man. And a friendly impression with a constant smile made him popular with students.

Especially among female students, there were many reactions that he was cute.

"It's nothing much. Just checking my appearance for a moment since there's a mirror here." 

"Appearance? Hmm. I didn't know Teacher Rudsela was someone who cared about such things." 

"I just checked to see if there was any untidy part."

"Ahaha. I see. Hmm. You do seem a bit more tired than usual."

Sellion said so and reached out, sweeping Rudsela's disheveled side hair behind her ear.

"...?" 

"Um. Did you perhaps not sleep properly last night?" 

"Uh, no. That's not it. Just, something came up recently that I need to worry about." 

"It might be because of classes. Even for Teacher Rudsela, paying attention to and caring for all the children isn't an easy task."

At Sellion's words, Rudsela nodded in agreement, but questioned his earlier action.

What? Sweeping hair back for me? Isn't this flirting? Could it be that in this world, she and Sellion were lovers?

'Looking back at the memories, that doesn't seem to be the case though.'

But she missed the timing to question it. Sellion's eyes curved as he smiled more deeply.

"Ah, I have a next class so I'll get going. If it's too hard, you can talk to me. I'll help you anytime." 

"Ah, yes. Thank you for your concern."

Even after Sellion left, Rudsela remained still for a while. She couldn't help it after seeing Sellion's indescribable nuance.

'Or maybe I'm really just tired.'

Rudsela shook her head and moved her steps.

Returning to the staff room, Rudsela sat down. Since the staff room's location was the same as in the previous world, there was no confusion.

As if waiting, Sedina Rosen from the assistant's office. No, Sedan came and placed a steaming teacup in front of her.

"You look tired. Drink this first." 

"Ah, thank you. Sedan." 

"What did you talk about with that Rienon guy?"

She had sent Sedan ahead to have a separate conversation with Rienon. Perhaps that had been weighing on his mind.

"No. He just asked questions because he was curious about something related to the class content." 

"Hmm. I see."

Though he was nodding, he didn't seem to fully accept it. Moreover, didn't he just refer to Rienon as "that guy"?

'What? Are the two on bad terms in this world?'

Hmm, I don't know. In this world, both Sedan and Rienon are male. And usually male students often fight because of their characteristic vigor.

The two were never particularly close, so it wouldn't be strange if they were on bad terms. Rudsela had no intention of getting involved in such a relationship.

'Come to think of it, Sedan in this world is still a Second Order.'

It was now a nostalgic designation too. The incident caused by the Black Dawn had completely changed his life.

'This world is the same yet different from the world I lived in. But the parts that can be called core are almost all identical. That means Sedan here is also a half-elf and blood of Plante.'

However, considering the current time period, it seemed Sedan didn't yet know he was of elven bloodline that communicates with the World Tree.

'The Black Dawn still exists in this world. This seems to be an unchanging truth.'

Taking a sip of the tea Sedan gave, warmth quickly circulated through the body.

"The tea tastes good." 

"It's a newly acquired tea leaf. I'm glad you like it."

As mental stability returned, the complicated head felt somewhat clearer. Then a call came through the communicator.

"The headmaster is calling." 

"...That man again."

As the headmaster's name came up, Sedan's expression crumpled. Anyone could see the clear emotion of dislike.

'What? Is something going on?'

If Rienon was at a level of dislike, the reaction toward the headmaster was strong enough to feel genuine hatred.

'Well, since he's currently affiliated with the Black Dawn, there's no way he'd like Theon's headmaster. He's practically the main enemy.'

Whatever the case, since the call came, she had to go. Given the headmaster's personality, ignoring the summons would be troublesome in its own way.

"I'll be back shortly." 

"...Be careful."

Careful of what? Rudsela waved her hand to say not to worry.

The headmaster's office she arrived at. Since she had visited here several times even recently, there was no sense of alienation. The only difference was that the types of decorations here and there were slightly different.

"Teacher Rudsela. You came earlier than I thought." 

"You called for me."

There, Rudsela sat across from the headmaster, Elio Willow.

"Fufu. Usually you make various excuses to delay time. I wonder what wind blew today." 

"...I just came right away because I had time."

Did I do that? Perhaps I did. From a First Order's standpoint, frequently facing the headmaster wasn't a particularly good thing.

'Come to think of it, this one definitely has a similar feel too.'

Rudsela stared intently at Elio. Starting with the noticeable silver-white hair, a handsome man with light pink hair mixed in here and there.

His golden eyes shone beautifully like embedded amber, and his deeply opened gaze was enough to make many women's hearts flutter.

'He looks like he'd be playing around with women a lot.'

Should I call him a sly handsome man? It was a different feeling from Alex, who used to deliberately fawn over women.

Headmaster Elio asked with a sly smile.

"You're staring at me quite intently today." 

"I apologize."

It seemed she had been too conscious and stared because of curiosity. Elio waved his hand saying it was fine at that apology.

"Coming right away when I call, and even sitting down and staring holes through me. You must have particularly wanted to see me today?"

Elio said so and stood up from his seat, suddenly leaning forward. His hand grasped Rudsela's chin.

"Isn't that right? Teacher Rudsela."

...What kind of situation is this?