VG Family

The twelve grand houses. The Parliament. The seven elders. The council of Olthia.

All these were terms that not just Kai but anyone who had read even half of ICUWSA recognized.

They were the organizations responsible for overseeing not just Meltonia but mages as a whole.

Beyond these major known power structures were hidden families assigned to covert missions.

They were known as the Archaians or people of Archaios, an ancient tribe shrouded in secrecy.

And within that very tribe known for their secrecy was a particular family that frequently defied their laws and interfered in the affairs of humans.

Feared by even the seven elders, they were one of ICUWSA's most dangerous families.

The VG family.

'Damn author, he could've just explained that it was an abbreviation.'

Kai held in his frustration and flipped to the next page.

A detailed log on the movements of most of the Vanguard family and how their son, the youngest, was in Noctis.

'At least the Asuras don't know who I am, or that would have been disastrous.'

Kai continued absorbing the information about the Vanguard family until he felt he knew enough.

'Knowing too much will surely lead me to my doom.'

He relaxed his back and moved on to the next two pages.

In bold letters was written, 'ROLECA ARE ON THE MOVE'.

Those few words were enough to make Kai stutter.

Roleca weren't supposed to be moving yet, but the shock quickly faded.

Kai had long prepared his mind for any kind of plot shift, developing backup plans and readying himself for what was to come.

He folded his fingers and rested his chin on them.

'That means the Professor Deerheart incident might happen earlier than expected.'

He sighed and looked at the piece of paper Elia had left him. 'It's a little comforting to know I'm not alone.'

Turning to face the puzzled Ivy, he clenched his paper slightly and managed to force out a smile. "I'm okay, Ivy." He paused, making sure her expression was calm. "The information was just a bit too much to process."

Ivy simply nodded. "Do you want some tea, my liege?"

Kai lingered for a moment before speaking, his tone still dark. "That wouldn't be so bad."

As Ivy rushed into the kitchen, Kai sank back into the chair, he could still feel the cold sweat beaded across his forehead.

His eyes were still haunted by the bold letters on the page.

'Out of all the people in this damn novel, I just had to end up in the body of a Vanguard young master, life really is unfair.'

---

As Kai calmed his spiraling thoughts, Ivy entered the room with a tray of cookies and a teapot.

The aroma of freshly brewed tea soon filled the air.

Ivy gracefully took the seat beside him and poured some tea into a small cup.

"Here you go, my liege," she said, handing him the cup with a radiant smile.

"Thanks, Ivy," Kai replied, curling his fingers around the teacup.

Ivy bared her chest boldly, but Kai doubted she was even aware of her provocative posture. "Just leave everything to me, my liege. I'll stop anyone who dares threaten you."

Kai looked at the beautiful woman who was murmuring to herself.

He couldn't resist the urge to pat her head and slowly moved his hand toward her.

She flinched and shut her eyes tightly, but as the warmth of the leather glove touched her head, she opened them again.

Kai couldn't help but smile at her reaction. 'She's acting like a puppy.'

[So that's what you've been up to while I was gone, huh?]

Kai slipped on the rug beneath his feet and fell to the floor. 'Alpha.'

[Wow!]

'It's not what you think. And why did you sneak up on me?'

[I live in your body, dummy.]

'Fair point.'

"My liege." Ivy looked at Kai with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just slipped, that's all."

He grabbed her outstretched arm and pulled himself to his feet.

"Ivy, I'm going to my room for a bit."

"Okay," she replied. "What about the sword?"

Kai thought for a moment. "Place it in my training area, by the side of the courtyard." He paused. "Don't open it no matter what. When I'm ready to train, I'll call you."

Ivy gave a firm nod before Kai ascended the stairs and into his room.

'We have a lot to discuss,' he said addressing Alpha.

[Yes.]

Kai sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. The information had barely sunk in, but his mind was already turning to the next steps. He had to prepare even if his body was unwilling.

---

[So if I understand you correctly, the original Kaiser Vanguard is an Archaian.]

'Yes.'

[And you've woven the transmission ability.]

'Yes.'

[And you've gotten acquainted with both Joshua and Anica.]

'Yes.'

[And Roleca are on the move.]

'Why are you repeating everything I just said?'

[That's a lot of information.]

'Right?'

[No way, haha! I can't believe you wanted to compare my vast operating system with your tiny brain.]

'You function because of my mana, right?'

[Yeah.]

'Then I'm shutting you down.'

[Wait... Wait... I'm serious now.]

'Do you have any plans?'

[With all the plans you've made, I can refine them and create the one with the highest chance of success.]

'That would be ideal.' He leaned back in his now pristine white room. 'At least now I have Amataratsu, one of the legendary weapons.'

[You mean the strongest weapon, right?]

'Yes, but unlike the remaining legendary weapons or weapons of dread, Amataratsu doesn't grant instant power; it grows with the user.'

[If it weren't like that, I doubt it would be an unknown rank.]

'You're right.'

[But Kai.]

'Hmm?'

[What do you plan to do about the Vanguard family?]

Kai tapped his knee thoughtfully. 'For now, nothing.'

He sighed as he stood up from the bed. 'For now, let's just train a bit with Amataratsu. We don't know who our enemies tomorrow will be.'

[If not enemies.]

Kai ruffled his hair lightly. 'We need to stay as invisible as we've always been. Only then can we avoid diverging from the plot any further.'

[I hope everything goes according to your plan.]

'Don't be so pessimistic.'

[...]

Kai opened the door gently as he walked down to meet Ivy.