Lucian Kael—alias Luca Gray—was currently deep in a mental debate over the economic value of potatoes.
"If I spend 2 copper for boiled ones from the inn, but cook my own using a Fireball spell at 0 mana cost… wait. No. Fireball bad. Fireball explodes goblins."
He sighed, poking the last piece of bread on his wooden plate.
Day two in the town of Everfall, and Lucian was already being side-eyed by half the guild. People whispered. Some pointed. Someone even called him 'Goblin Slayer Jr.
"One goblin. I nuked one goblin by accident," he muttered.
His quest board plan was simple: pick low-rank jobs, pretend to struggle, and blend in like beige wallpaper.
He stood before the quest board like a scholar reading ancient scrolls.
"Hmm... Clean sewer rats? Nah. Too many chances to slip and cast Lightning Bolt. Escort the herb lady? Could be chill."
Before he could pluck the "Herb Lady Escort" request, a soft, calm voice cut through the noise.
"You're that guy who made the goblin pop like a fruit, right?"
Lucian turned.
Standing behind him was a girl in a black hooded robe, eyes sharp and emerald green, a leather satchel slung over her shoulder. Her robes were common adventurer attire—yet too clean, too fitted, and way too elegant for a real rookie.
She was trying very hard to look plain.
Which meant—she was anything but.
Lucian blinked. "That depends. If you're here to recruit me for a secret guild of exploding goblin slayers, I respectfully decline."
She cracked a small smile.
"Relax. I'm just here for a party request. I'm looking for a partner for a ruin exploration quest. You fit the qualifications."
"Qualifications being...?"
"Disposable-looking. Suspiciously low-profile. And you carry a staff you clearly don't know how to use."
Lucian put a hand to his chest, mock-offended.
"Madam, I will have you know I trip over my own shadow for dramatic effect."
She held out a party contract scroll.
"You in or not?"
"...I have three questions. One: how dangerous are the ruins? Two: do I get to not die? And three: what's your name?"
She glanced around before lowering her hood just slightly.
"Call me Elira."
That name meant nothing to Lucian… until he caught a glimpse of her profile. Sharp jawline. Elegant poise. Regal aura.
He recognized her face from one of the kingdom's old currency coins.
Oh hell. That's Elira Vellandis—the missing fourth princess of the Valdren Empire.
What the hell is a princess doing in the middle of Goblintown dressed like a Dollar Tree mage?!
Lucian kept his cool, smiled, and said:
"Nice to meet you, Elira. I'm Luca. Professionally weak. Magically disappointing. Let's go not die in a ruin together."
[Ruins of Sarenwell – Edge of the Forest]
The ruins were quiet. Moss-covered stones jutted out of the earth like bones. A few cracked statues stared into the sky, their features worn by time.
Elira led the way with a map. Lucian trailed behind, pretending not to be mapping the entire place using a divine mini-map.
"This place's architecture is old Verdain style," she muttered. "Civilization fell around 200 years ago. Magic engravings are intact. We need to find the mana crystal core."
Lucian nodded thoughtfully.
"Yep. That's... exactly what I was thinking. Totally not just here to carry your bag."
She stopped, turning toward him.
"You're not what you appear to be."
Lucian blinked. "I get that a lot. Must be the pretty-boy face."
"You're pretending to be weak."
He raised a brow. "Bold of you to assume I'm pretending. I once tried to cast Heal and accidentally healed a tree."
She stared at him. Unamused. Not buying it.
"I know strength when I see it. You walk like someone who's read too many battle stories."
Lucian coughed. "...Maybe a few."
They reached a large stone doorway covered in ancient glyphs. A barrier shimmered faintly over the entrance.
Elira stepped forward, raising her hand.
"Let me dispel—"
"Wait."
Lucian stepped forward and tapped the edge of the glyph.
He whispered, "Run 'if mana equals corruption then void seal break'."
The barrier flickered, then vanished.
Elira blinked.
"What language was that?"
Lucian shrugged. "It's... uh, from my homeland. Called 'Java-Scripture'."
"Sounds fake."
"Sounds ancient."
Inside the Ruins
They navigated narrow hallways, tripped a few non-lethal traps (Lucian tanked them all dramatically), and eventually reached a chamber with a floating blue crystal.
Elira stepped forward.
"Here it is. The mana core. Be careful—it might be guarded—"
The floor trembled. A construct golem rose from the ground, glowing with red eyes and arcane sigils.
Lucian sighed. "See? You jinxed it."
The golem swung a giant stone arm.
Elira dodged left, casting firebolts that barely singed the creature.
Lucian backed up, holding his staff.
Don't overdo it. Don't overdo it. Just cast a low-level stun.
He muttered, "Paralyze.exe – target current entity – duration 5 sec – cooldown loop false."
A blue flash zapped the golem.
It froze instantly. Then disassembled itself into neat, sparkling cubes.
Lucian: "...Oops."
Elira stared at the pile of glowing rubble.
"What did you just do?"
Lucian looked innocent. "I think I used the wrong font."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're not a bronze-rank."
"Oh no, I absolutely am. I even have the tag. See?"
He jingled the leather bronze badge.
"Totally certified weakling."
She crossed her arms, studying him.
"Who are you really?"
Lucian shrugged.
"Just a guy who tripped into a summoning circle by accident."
"That... sounds almost believable."
Later That Night – Tavern Room
Lucian sat in the inn, reviewing his system log.
[New Title Unlocked: Partyed with a Princess]
[Hidden Flag Triggered: Royal Entanglement – Chain Quest Begins]
He groaned.
"Oh great. Now I'm in a princess questline. This is exactly how it starts. Today a ruin. Tomorrow I'm fighting a dragon with daddy issues."
He stared at the flickering candle.
"I was supposed to live like a background character. Just farm herbs and die in Chapter 20."
From the room next door, he heard Elira pacing. Whispering. She was probably planning something.
Lucian sighed.
"Well, at least she doesn't suspect I'm a divine glitch."
A soft ding echoed.
[Warning: Elira suspects you're something else entirely.]
"...I hate this system."