I dreamed about being a human on a planet called Earth. The me in the dream lived in that world for 20 years until he met his untimely end as he got hit by a truck, but it wasn't done. In the next moment, he found himself floating around as a soul in a pitch-black void.
Then, he felt it, the feeling of being split in half by an unknown force as the pieces of him fell down that abyss.
The moment of my birth, pure knowledge of different topics, yet a lingering feeling that they came from the same origin, flowed into my brains, and something beside my hearts connected themselves to my brains.
After some thoughts, I realized the situation that I am in was quite similar to the type of fiction that I've spent some time reading in my past life, 1 soul reincarnated and controlling 2 bodies like a hive mind.
—
15 years since my reincarnation, Usually in this type of novel, the bodies would be relatively close, yet in my case, my bodies are on the opposite end of the world.
This world, endearingly named by all its sentient inhabitants as "The Mother" in their own languages. It is in a transitioning state from "Sword and Magic" to "Magic and Science." The change was caused by the Angels, who were sent down by The Mother to bless her children with the knowledge of technology.
However, 100 years ago, 10 years after the Angels' descent, they were eradicated by the Primons, who opposed their rules. The last of the Angels convinced the rest of Mother's children to turn their weapons toward the Primon because of their great sin, the whole species name was changed into Demon, and they were exiled to the other side of the world, where Mother's blessing was scarce.
One of the Last Angels, Salvate, picked up the mantle to lead the Holy Empire alongside a few Angels left alive from the massacre, the place where the Angels descend upon Mother, a safe haven for Mother's children where everyone but the demons is accepted with open arms.
—
As I entered the building, I noticed some students giving me baffled looks. I knew why they reacted this way, I've yet to announce to anyone that I would be here.
"Isn't that the Crown Princess of the Holy Empire?"
"Yes, she's Marie M. Salvate. It's unreal how beautiful she is, I thought the photos of her were edited."
"Her wings are so beautiful! I want to touch them."
"Why is she here? Are there anything in this sector that she might be interested in?"
"I heard that she is the one that sponsored some of our projects to keep this place afloat."
With my senses, I could pick up the whispering conversations of the students, but I ignored them. I just stood there silently, waiting, then a man with pointed ears came toward me and bowed down his head.
"Greetings, your majesty, my name is Jonik G. Herbius, the Head Manager of the Biology Sector. I will be your guide for today." He said, and with a nod, I followed him.
He introduced me to the facilities of this sector, true to its name, many fields related to biology are located here, from medical to botany. I listened to his words and took note of every room inside my head so I wouldn't be lost walking around.
The last room we visited was an extremely large greenhouse, Jonik's poker face that he kept on for the whole tour broke into a wide grin.
"This place is the pride and joy of the Biology Sector, we named it after the person who sponsored the project, The Maria Greenhouse, where every plant from everywhere on The Mother resided. It was a novel project that we thought would never see the light of day, but with your sponsorship, we gave it another purpose, which is to feed the students and the staff with fruits and vegetables from their hometown in this Academy."
It was not a lie, this big greenhouse was separated into sections that simulate the regions of this world. I was happy that the absurd amount of money I spent on it was not wasted, but I was quite embarrassed by the introduction, 'Did they really have to name it after me?' I thought.
After the guide through the facilities, we came to a halt at the staff-only elevator for the final destination.
"As you know, this biology sector's former director was Alan Alice, the Third Order's Sovereign of Life. A man of his stature was already hard to find and harder to hire. He was exiled to the demon continent after the truth was revealed that he was working with them. He is rumored to have cheated on his wife with a demon, and they eloped."
Sovereigns is a concept familiar to me after I got reincarnated in this world, they're sentient beings loved by The Mother at birth, born with pure knowledge of a concept inside their head, separated into 5 Orders based on the amount of influence the concept they have on reality. From the First Order reigning over the fabric of reality itself to the Fifth Order, complete control of a very specific concept. They are extremely rare, as there are only around 90 known Sovereigns in total.
I recovered from my daze at the absurd rumor, and Jonik continued his speech with a solemn expression. "In the hundred years without a director, we tried our best to keep this place in shape, but we couldn't get approval for many major projects, and our other projects couldn't find any sponsors until you came along and saved us."
"It is my mission to help when I can, the work of this Biology Sector is more important than most sectors in this Academy. How could I leave it be when I have the ability to help?" I replied.
"A noble mission indeed, despite being so young, you held the weight of The Mother's Children on your shoulder. As expected of the fabled Angel's descendants." He said, and I accepted his praise.
The elevator stopped at the top floor, the door opened to reveal a magnificent sight.
"In this penthouse, the area at the entrance is where the director works, and the rooms at the back are personal rooms, each with a different function." Seeing the amazement in my eyes, Jonik let me roam the place.
The most notable feature of this office was that it's basically a greenhouse. Potted plants with sprinkler systems and self-sustaining terrariums simulating the nature of The Mother are everywhere in the room. Despite the clutter, I could still freely move around because of how big this office was.
"As the Director of the Biology Sector, you will be responsible for important paperwork that requires your signature. The bulletin board inside of the office is the Academy's official commission board for you." Jonik explained, and I gave him a nod.
"Anything else?"
"If you have any requests regarding your personal room and office, you can call me with the number on your desk, and I will help you to the best of my ability." He said, then handed me a key, "This is the key to your personal rooms, don't lose it, or we will have to waste some time re-enchanting the entire penthouse to prevent the leaking of privacy."
After he told me other miscellaneous stuff, Jonik left me to my own devices and went down the elevator. I noticed that my personal rooms at the back were completely private, unlike the office, no light or sound could pass through the room. Without the key, I could neither see what was inside nor walk in.
Finally, in the comfort of my own bedroom, I pulled out a phone that somewhat resembled those touch screen phones in my past life. There were a lot of unread messages and calls, but I ignored them and decided to break the news to my childhood friend whom I haven't talked to since his birthday a few months ago because he stopped talking to me first.
Angel Princess: Just became a director of a sector in the academy
Time Lord: Maria... so that is what you have been up to? Your parents are worried about you. I heard from them that you suddenly disappeared from home. How did you even do that?
Angel Princess: Lady's secret, I have this whole penthouse for me now.
[pictures]
Angel Princess: Jealous yet?
Time Lord: I've been in better places, so how are you?
Angel Princess: Feeling pretty good. I'm not under the watch of my parents anymore. Maybe I'll go around to prank the students here.
Time Lord: That's just like you alright, so you don't have any work? I thought directors were supposed to be busy.
Angel Princess: I'm most likely free from any work for the next few days. Since it would take a while for people to know that I became the director of this sector.
Time Lord: Ok then, I have to do something now. See you later. Remember to text your parents and your little brother too, they're worried about you, you know?
Angel Princess: Thanks for the reminder. I should give them peace of mind. You've been a bit strange ever since last month, usually when we chat, you always want to prolong the conversation. Are you distancing yourself from me?
Time Lord: You want me to keep talking? That doesn't sound like you.
Angel Princess: Nah, I just felt something wasn't right. Good luck with whatever you're doing. Maybe we'll talk again next month if I don't forget about you again.
Time Lord: Those are hurtful words, you know. I'm not that insignificant.
I exited the chat with him and opened the family group chat. My family was notified by the Academy's headmistress that I was here and would be staying here. And they are screaming at me with the audio messages.
They would never expect that I managed to enlist the help of a Primon. Through an equal exchange, she helped me with what she could, and I helped her with what I could. With her help, I managed to run away from my home and end up in front of the Magic Academy. I repaid the help with my own magic.
Understandably, they were mad. What kind of princess would run away from home without a warning and then land one of the most enviable jobs at the most prestigious Academy on that same morning? But for my goal, desperate measures are needed.
My deal with the headmistress was quite simple, I will act as The Director of the Biology Sector and give them my knowledge in exchange for the headmistress's protection. It was surprising how quickly the relevant personnel were deployed to clean up this place for my arrival.
—
On the other side of the planet. History was taught differently. 30 years before their descent to the land now known as The Holy Empire, an alien species secretly went down to the planet, aiming to scout and conquer the world to enslave its inhabitants.
Their attempt was cut short by The Mother herself, her immune system, the mana, made quick work of the alien species because they do not have her blessing, the mana seed. While they were dying a quick death to mana poisoning, they managed to kidnap a few Humons to their headquarters to give the blessing of The Mother to their own kind.
Years after, the aliens, who called themselves Angels, were sent down as emissaries to prepare for their conquest. Their attempt at manipulating the masses was cut short by the Primons, who were closest to The Mother and heard her plight, stood up against them. With the sacrifices of many Primons, the Angels' plan was thwarted, but the rest is known history as the other side.
As the crown princess of the Holy Empire, I knew more. The Angels weren't fully gone, the rest of them were on the moon, hibernating in cryostasis, waiting for the last piece of the puzzle. They were waiting for one of their descendants to become a sovereign of the First or Second Order related to life, a Sovereign who can enslave other living beings at will, to kickstart their conquest.
Unfortunately for them, I was the one who got it, and knowing the true history, I'd rather side with the inhabitants of this world, with The Mother, because she trusted me with the knowledge. That is why I ran away from the scrutiny of my parents, they cannot know that I am against them, at least not now.
Inside a brightly lit room, I sat on my chair, my desk filled with tools and trinkets. I was focused on adding the finishing touch to my newest project, since it was extremely important and required my utmost attention, or everything would be ruined, when a familiar yet not quite as right voice was heard outside my door. Distracted, I was stopped from finishing it at the last second.
"Rygard! Are you done yet? Do you mind sparing me a little time?"
"Come in," I said in annoyance since my work was interrupted midway.
The door to my room was kicked wide open. A girl who looked to be 18 appeared, her brilliant blonde hair fluttering in the wind made by the fans mounted on the wall, her blue eyes filled with stars making you feel like you were being gazed at by the cosmos itself. On her head was a headband with a pair of horns protruding out from the middle. She was wearing a flower shirt and dark brown pants.
"I need your help." She said and snapped her fingers, a portal appeared beside her, and a box fell down. I opened the box to see what was inside, what I saw were many types of clothes, all sharing the same trait, wet.
"You know there are other ways to dry clothes, right? I literally made a dryer the other day."
"That's not all I need."
"Ok fine, I will do it." I said, picking up the clothes, with a spell, I expelled the moisture from the box of clothes to dry it. I then began working through all kinds of colorful clothes that she got, from a blue dress that goes along with a pinafore to a black gothic dress with red outlines. Under her supervision, I adjusted them to her taste.
It took me a total of half an hour to go through all of those clothes since there were so many, but she wasn't done with me yet. I knew she had some questions for me.
"About that girl that you asked me to help. What's your relationship with her?" She asked, her gaze intensified on me, in my eyes, her face looked like a true demon with full intent to kill depending on my next choice of words.
"She's someone I shared a deep connection with." I said, hoping she wouldn't ask more questions, and her gaze softened.
"Is that so? How did you two even meet? You never left this continent, and it's impossible for that princess who was under surveillance all day every day to be able to find herself a boyfriend from her mortal enemy's race." She questioned, but I already had the answer rolled down my tongue.
"It's a secr-" My word came to a halt as I pondered over what she just said "Wait, what do you mean, boyfriend? We aren't like that." I was flustered by her question.
"What? If not lovers, then what could that deep connection possibly be?" Her eyebrows raised.
"We haven't decided what our relationship is yet. But I can say with certainty that she is completely on our side." I said with a confident smile, 'After all, she is me.' I thought.
"I see. I won't probe further, but let me give you a heads-up, if you two decide to become lovers, as your grandma, I approve of it." she said and winked.
The Primon girl in front of me was my adopted grandmother, Alice L. Alice, the First Order's Sovereign of Space. She was a war hero who almost snuffed the Angels out of existence.
In the war, her rampage was stopped by a surprise attack that put her into a year-long coma. Severely weakened and barely holding on to life, by the time she woke up from her coma, the war was already over and the Primon were pushed to this continent. The person who kept her alive when she was in the coma was her adoptive child, who's also my adoptive father, Alan Alice.
"That said, grandma, why do you want to look young again?" A question that lingered on my mind since her deal with the other me.
"Oh, I'm not just looking young again, the princess basically returned me to the prime of life. She is way better than Alan at this, he could only merely extend my life span. As for the reason why." the edge of her mouth curved up, showing a mischievous smile. "I'm looking for my fated one."
"So, you're looking for a lover?!" It was my turn to be surprised.
"That's right, I haven't told this story, but I think you should know, there is a story among the old Sovereigns that if a Sovereign were to have a child with another Sovereign closely connected to their own concept of the same order, their child will have both of the Sovereignty of the parents combined. I have yet to find a Sovereign of Time that wasn't a woman, and I'm just staying alive all this time in hope that I will one day meet the man of my dreams." Her eyes then darted to me. "But it seems like you were lucky enough to find your fated one this early, that Princess's sovereignty seems to only apply to organic matter, while your sovereignty applies to anything but. Your child might become a First Order's Sovereign."
"That's a ridiculous idea." I said dismissively, but then I realized something I missed, and my face went pale when it dawned on me. It was about my childhood friend, the guy who put Time Lord as his group chat nickname and was obsessed with Maria until the month before, Lewis C. Charles, the First Order's Sovereign of Time.
I didn't reveal to grandma Alice what I knew, I don't want to trouble Lewis just yet, that would be for later. After our conversation, I went back to complete my newest project an amalgamation of technology and magic of my own.
"I'm gonna go test this bad boy out." I looked at the bracelet on my left wrist, my newest invention: The Matter Compressor.