The Situation and identity

Holden scanned himself in the mirror for what was probably the seventh time. His inability to accept the situation crudely laid out in front of him was a result of his grasp on reality being violated completely—and sadistically so.

The man in the mirror was someone Holden had known previously. Very well, in fact. It was also the main factor contributing to his growing despair. He knew who he looked like, very well—he had the character sprite fresh in memory.

Alvric Marakeen, seventh prince of the Marakeen Empire. He was an early to mid-game villain in a fantasy game I had played. He was a cocky, sadistic, and vile person who tormented the game's MC, Erick Oakwood, to satiate his own hedonistic tendencies.

He was eventually defeated during the story mission Threshold of Innocence, where he kidnapped one of Erick's friends to goad him into a serious fight. He lost the fight and was later punished by his elder sister, Princess Meghose, who had been hinted to be Erick's possible love interest. His power and wealth were greatly limited.

After repeated attempts to gain back power—only to be knocked into the dirt by Meghose and Erick—he was seduced by the forces of chaos. During a coup d'état attempt by the third prince of the Empire, who had also been seduced by chaos, Alvric was defeated by the very person he had kidnapped. Then he was captured, and Erick personally executed him for his crimes, despite his pathetic pleas for mercy.

It was now easy to understand why Holden was in despair. His fate, as the possessor of this character, was to die. Holden wasn't jumping the gun either—he had checked, hoping Alvric hadn't even met Erick yet. However, not only had they met, the story mission Threshold of Innocence had already occurred.

Meaning, now Alvric had little power or resources because Meghose had them stripped away as punishment. It also explained why the tea tasted so bad—Alvric had tried to make it himself… but seriously, how does one mess up tea that badly?

Holden sat down to further analyze the situation. Sulking and worrying about the future wouldn't do anything. It's what we do in the present that affects what will happen to us in the future. No matter which world you're in, actions breed consequences and results. Cause and effect.

He absolutely needed to learn magic. Since he and Alvric had become one in mind, body, and soul, he could feel Alvric's feelings on the matter—deep disapproval. Alvric had long considered magic—or perhaps as they call it in this world, the Mystic Arts—to be dishonorable and cowardly. Alvric relied mainly on his swordsmanship, which was only above average at best, as well as accommodating mystical artifacts, which he considered fine mainly because so many legendary heroes used them.

This was something Holden couldn't understand about Alvric. If it were him, then the first thing he would've done was learn magic. Decrypting the truth of the world with one's own hands was something of a dream come true for Holden. However, Alvric didn't seem to feel the same way. It felt weird having two different perspectives of the same thing at the same time in one's own head.

He needed to figure out a way to learn Mystic Arts without attracting attention. Alvric had made his distaste for Mystic Arts publicly known, so if people found out he was learning them, it would attract the wrong kind of attention—and maybe even active surveillance.

He also needed allies. Alvric had lost all his friends, mostly because he subconsciously paid them to be his friends. Now that his finances were limited, those friends had disappeared like tears in the rain. Holden felt some pity for Alvric. However, remembering everything he had done, the pity also disappeared in the same way.

His identity seemed to be the part holding him back the most. He had some ideas to counteract this… but for now—

Holden raised himself, getting dressed in a blue uniform with gold accents.

"As of now, I am Alvric Marakeen, seventh prince of the Marakeen Empire.I am a cruel, sadistic, and hedonistic person,and I cannot afford to be seen in any other fashion…"