2 Future Plans

A day magically passed.

I was outside Duke's manor, running around, or more like, to exercise but since my build is non-existent, it may look like it will be my last time inhaling the air.

'What's… with this body…!'

My movements were sluggish but not to the point where I couldn't do things right. The exercise was all right at first but soon turned otherwise when minutes of running had passed.

And I was already running for nearly two hours.

'It's all right France— erm, Noelle. We have to do this,'

Yes, I was training. Of course, not because I wanted to show off or have the good graces of both the Duke and Isaac.

When the situation comes, only my legs could do the escape. If you can't fight it, run away from it.

I wasn't confident about running in my previous life but that kind of mindset wouldn't do good to me especially since I have certain knowledge about the future.

This led to a reason that I have to force myself to train.

"Eekk— he's here!"

"Make a run for it! I could feel bad omen on his presence!"

"Take your children inside! We must not let him see them! He will take them away!"

'Oy, oy, what is this? The reputation of this dude is that bad? Holy crap, I think a week is not enough to change people's opinions about me. And… taking children? Do I look like I abduct some?'

Even though I'm a son of a duke, the people weren't afraid to talk trash about me and surely, I wasn't in a position to argue with them.

Noelle was a trash character and I think he deserves this much but…

'I'm not Noelle,' Painfully thinking inwardly, I added, 'Although I said that to myself, the people's words still hurt me,'

I couldn't just say that I transmigrated here and I've become a completely different person.

They would just add the word 'insane' to their impression of me which I couldn't afford to happen.

Do they even know the word transmigration?

"Sigh..."

For now, I'll keep this situation as it is. There's no a way plant could grow in a day. It takes time and place until it blooms.

…

"Hahh… Hahh…"

Lying down on the road that is right outside of the duke's manor with an exhausted face, I can subtly say that I became familiar with the duke's land and its ways.

The novel just describes the words 'large' and 'big'. I know the author wouldn't put the direction specifically because it's unnecessary and might tire the readers out.

"Hahh…"

With a tired breath, I stood up from my place and entered the duke's manor.

As I walked inside, the butlers and maidservants avoided my direction which I merely ignored.

Finally, after a few minutes of walking, I entered my room, washed in the bathroom since I was reeking with sweat before lying down on my bed.

'I only have a year left till the anomaly comes. In the meantime, I have to prepare to ensure my survival, and to do that, I have to quit school which I have done already,'

I laid my plans inside my head.

After that…

'Right, there are certain problems and discoveries before the anomaly happened and since it's the author's work, there are a lot of problems. As a result, some sort of preparation, training, and overcoming adversities were situated for the main character. And… one of those things happened when we were going towards the school and this land, Well, the latter could be prevented if I moved fast...'

The particular event when a  kidnapping would happen.

Since a vacation was given to the students by the institute, everyone has been convinced to return to their hometowns to enjoy a moment with their families. Some stayed at the academy while the majority returned, which Noelle did.

And the other one was the discovered hidden 'land' just right outside of this castle wall. It was full of treasures and would be only discovered by the pathfinder Olivia in the later ending of volume one, who would be part of the main character's party.

There are a lot of things I have to do but, in the meantime, these are the two things that I could somehow benefit myself.

"One week…"

Before the kidnapping happens, we have to do something but before that, a specific change of my image should commence at the people in this land had on me.

'Anytime now, duke. Give me 'our' money,'

Thinking about it made me smile.

…

"Klein," Verl called the butler who was smiling in his direction before continuing, "Give these paper notes and pouches that contain gold coins to Noelle. And call Isaac. He is just right outside,"

Klein formed a frown for a second before nodding without any question. Carrying the paper notes and pouches all together, he called Isaac outside with a suspicious look.

Isaac didn't mind and just entered the room since it was the duke's order.

"So, how's Noelle?"

"He's bad,"

"Right… I knew you would say that—"

"And he said he was going to suck you dry. He's probably referring that he will use the money you've given to him to maybe just waste it,"

Letting out a tired sigh from his mouth, Verl replied after a long silence, "That kid… so, did he mention where he would use the money?"

Isaac shakes his head. Verl sighed in disbelief one more time before ordering warmly, "Please watch him for me. With the recent happening in the kingdom, I would be very busy,"

"I will gladly do so,"

Nodding his head, Verl shakes his hand, "You can leave now. Please follow him when he goes out. I don't know what kind of gimmicks he would do. And if he really did something, give him a smack in the head. A very strong one, if you can,"

"Certainly,"

…

"Oh… This feeling... Is someone talking behind my back?"

That thought passed through my mind as I muttered, while involuntarily touching the back of my head.

It became oddly cold for some reason.

Removing that thought, I shifted my gaze to the paper notes and pouches of gold coins on the table, smelling the ink of money in this world which is no different from mine.

Now that I think about it, I wouldn't waste such fortune if only I had a system that could help me train vigorously unlike the main character who has.

Imagine doing something out of this world through the power of an almighty being… ah. That would be fascinating even for me who is a nobody.

That being said… I don't have anything on me which could be called, in my words, 'Transmigrator's benefit'

No system, no special skills, nor guardian angel to guide me…

I wasn't hurt, really. As a pragmatic individual who views things pessimistically, expectations were something I didn't get along with, and had to be sure I did things right to know if I was really successful.

Set that aside, I should start with my plan.

"Let's begin. One week might not be enough but it is a start,"

I have been thinking about certain things as to how Isaac will begin to trust me and avoid those dirty little rumors that attached themselves at the previous owner of this body.

And certainly, I've thought of something by using my knowledge thus forming an operation which I entitled: 'Mc, please don't kill me!'

…

Even though I couldn't determine the lives of the characters in the second volume since it wasn't published yet, the body I was in was enough for me to know his cliché future.

As a stepping stone, this nobody character would probably die due to accidents or being killed by the mc himself if he saw I was very wicked and couldn't be changed which I don't want to happen.

And with that being said, what's the solution I think of?

Chatter—!

While walking through the road, murmurs and conversations were formed as they watched me, giving curious looks on their faces.

Soon enough, their curiosity was met the moment I stopped in front of a large house.

"A-an orphanage? That damn guy has no limits! He's trying to create havoc on such a place now?"

"He might abduct the children inside. Even though slavery has been prohibited, it seems no one is stopping a powerful son from doing what he wanted,"

"This trash…!"

…I could hear you all, you know?

"Hey,"

Being called by someone and knowing the tone of the voice, I gave glanced at the person with a wry smile while replying.

"What is it?"

Of course, if I wanted my plan to work, I needed him as an audience.

"Just trying to warn you. Don't do anything silly." Isaac spoke sternly, "I can just… ignore your doings on adults but if you tried to do something funny on children…"

"Easy now. I may be a trash person but my trashiness wouldn't extend that far. I also have my limits,"

Holding the hilt of his sword, Isaac replied, "Just a warning,"

Flinching, I took a mouthful of a gulp of saliva before turning my attention back to the orphanage.

I knew he wasn't joking, and if we continued the conversation and heard something unpleasant from my mouth, he wouldn't hesitate to draw his sword and kill me.

"A-anyway, let's enter,"

This is a bad start! But well, it's within my expectations, I guess?