Chapter 116: Exposed

Location: Magicon Empire; Magicon System; Terra; Imperia; Song Tower

The remainder of my time in Lisa’s penthouse suite goes by rather quickly. After I made peace with Victor, we both returned to the others, and I talked with a few of them. An hour later most of the others have to go to their classes, which leaves me alone with Lisa.

“Are you already done with classes for today?” She asks me when I stayed behind after Victor and Bernd left.

“No, I’ve got my first course on Utility magic today, but it’s an evening course. What about you?”

“Yeah, I’m mostly done for today,” she shrugs. “Well, I’ve got someone coming by later to help me with a few things I’m struggling with, but otherwise, today’s my chill day.”

“That’s cool, I wish I had the free time. But I’ve brought this onto myself sooo, yeah.”

That has us both giggling, and we sit down on a nearby couch.

Lisa looks at me. “Want a drink?”

I decline. “No, I think it’s better if I stay sober for what’s to come in the evening. I still have a lot to learn in Utility magic.”

Lisa chuckles. “I can imagine… When I got my second core, I spent every waking moment in devouring new spells.”

I raise my eyebrow. “You did? Also, what’s your secondary core if I may ask?”

“It’s no secret… Like almost everyone else, I started with Utility. Instead of going for Space with my second core as my parents wanted, I decided to get an A&D core.”

That’s surprising! I didn’t expect her to have A&D magic. “Oh? How come? Space magic is so cool.”

She laughs. “Oh, I know. But I was always more interested in A&D magic. Wielding such destructive forces in your hands is fascinating!” She gets a faraway look and trails off.

“Anyway, enough of myself. Have you thought about my or Bernd’s offer?”

Dammit. I should have left with the others. I don’t want to talk about this now. This can’t lead to a good outcome. “No, I haven’t… I’m still unsure. Why is it even relevant now? I mean, I’m just a first-year college student…”

Lisa stares at me. Her dark eyes sparkle with hidden curiosity. “That makes me curious, you know?” I tilt my head. “You’re either completely stupid, what I don’t think, or there’s more to you…”

Uh oh! I don’t like where this is leading to. What can I do? Before I can think of a response or do anything else, Lisa continues.

“That only leaves one option. You’re a Noble yourself, right?”

Shit, shit, shit! What do I do? Lisa looks at me with an intense gaze. I’m inwardly panicking, and I don’t think I’ve kept my expression neutral. It’s still worth a try…

I lean back and open my eyes wide. “Whaaat?? That’s ridiculous, how’d you come to that conclusion? Didn’t we talk about the whole fiasco with the Junbus? I acted like a fool! What kind of Noble would do so?”

Lisa smirks. “It’s quite simple. The offer I’ve made you… No person in their right mind would have hesitated for even a single second. But you did hesitate. Not only that, but you’re also still hesitating even now. That only leaves one explanation: You don’t need what I’m offering. Am I right?”

Ugh, dammit. Just because I didn’t want to get entangled with high-class Nobles. And now that… But I guess there’s no way around telling her a bit now.

I sigh. “Yeah… You’re right.”

She pumps a fist in the air. “Yes! I knew it. Hah, My first exposed disguised Noble. Mom’s going to be so proud. Now, tell me more!”

I groan. “It’s not something I want to talk about too much… I thought I could have a chilled life here at college, but someone had the idea to put me in class with you and all the others… Not that I don’t like you or anything, but the chances of me being discovered are just so much higher as you proved just now.”

That gets a short laugh out of her. “Oh, that’s true. Even Bernd immediately noticed you, as you were the odd one out. Combine this with your rare power in Space magic and well. You see where this ended. Do you have an idea how you even landed in our course?”

“Not really, but I do have a suspicion. It was either my parents as they like to have a joke at my expense, or it was my grandma… But I don’t exactly know why she would do this.” I shrug. “Not that it matters right now. Anyway, was there anything else that gave me away? This might help me in the future as long as you don’t tell everyone about me?” I look at her pleadingly.

She returns a smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone besides my mom. I know full well how stressful this all can be. But I have to tell Mom, as exposing Nobles is something like a tradition in my family. I think I’ve set a new record with how fast I’ve found one.”

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I bury my face in my hands. “And I thought I was a good actress…”

“Oh, but you are. Besides you refusing to take my offer there was barely anything else that made me suspicious… Maybe the fact that you’ve already got a spot on the Earth expedition, but that’s it.”

I groan even louder. “That’s not even my merit. One of my teammates took care of it… Oh, he’s also a Noble in disguise if you want to add another one to your list. But don’t tell me who he is if you find out. I’ve got a bet running with my cousin.”

Lisa breaks out into full-blown laughter, and for the first time since she exposed me, I smile slightly. “Are you for real?” She asks between bursts of laughter. “Of all the things you team up with another Noble in disguise? Does he know?”

“No, I don’t think so.” I shake my head, still smiling. “But he’s much worse in acting than I am. Anyway, does Bernd know about all this?”

Lisa composes herself and shakes her head. “No, he doesn’t. I mean even I had to guess in the end and he’s not the brightest in such things. But you should think about telling him… It would make things a lot easier, as I don’t think he’s given up on taking you under his wing yet. Victor too. I know he can be a bit weird, but he’s a nice guy and once he’s interested in something, he won’t stop. But from how things look, you dodged him for now. Anyway, think about it.”

I grimace a bit. I don’t think telling Victor would make him happy. Maybe I’ll tell Bernd. We’ll see. “Yeah, I will. I’m not sure yet about telling them as this could make things more complicated.”

Lisa raises an eyebrow. “Oh? Please do tell.”

Ahh, I should have anticipated that question… “I could use that drink right now…”

She laughs again and gets up. “Alright, coming right up!”

She leaves the room, and I lean back with a sigh. I guess I’m all in now. I spin up a Communication spell and aim for Mom. She’s quick to pick up, but also quick to dismiss me as she’s very busy right now. Frustrated, I try to call Dad.

“Hey sweaty, what’s up?”

“Hi, Dad, I’ve got a bit of a situation…”

I continue to tell him about Lisa exposing me while she’s still gone making the drink. The barkeeper is already gone, I think.

Dad chuckles. “Ahh, this was only a matter of time. Lisa Song is a smart one, just like her mother. But you can tell her whatever you want. I’ve already talked with Xin, she vouched for her daughter. Well, you obviously don’t want to tell her about the Worldender Ship stuff, but you get what I mean. Anyway, I’ve gotta go. See you soon, Sara!”

Dad disconnects and I look at Lisa who’s just entered the room again. She carries two glasses filled with brown liquid and hands me one of them. I sniff and am immediately assaulted by strong alcohol.

“Careful, it’s got quite some kick to it,” she chuckles and raises her glass. “To exposed Nobles.”

We clink glasses and I take a sip. It burns! But it’s also very good.

Lisa starts musing. “So who are you? That’s the only thing I can’t find out. You’re not just a Count's daughter, right? That wouldn’t make sense.”

I nod at her. It’s best when she tries to find out herself. Maybe she gives up?

“That leaves Marquess… But there are a lot of them. You’re obviously not Timothy Silvani, as he’s a guy…”

WAIT! Is that it? Tim Skadi… Timothy Silvani. That would be the dumbest disguise ever! But it would also fit. Oh my.

I get up and start pacing. Lisa stops talking and looks at me. “What is it?”

“I don’t know… The teammate I’ve told you about. He goes by Tim Skadi. I’m just thinking if it could be so simple and he’s actually the Silvani heir.”

Lisa’s eyes widen. “That’s certainly possible. I mean he is unaccounted for, soo… But it would also be a very dumb disguise.”

“Yeah, my thoughts exactly…” I sigh and sit back down. “Not that it’s that important right now.”

“True enough. Now leaving out the Silvanis, that still leaves a lot of possibilities.” She taps something on her interface and starts reading. I watch her patiently. “Okay, I’m going to drop a few names now. You just have to shake your head if I’m wrong. Tina Porter? Fridolina Rowlins? Chelsea McDunn?”

Her name-dropping continues for almost five minutes while I steadily shake my head. Lisa grows more frustrated by the minute until she finally gives up. I can barely hold back a smirk as I’m sure that she’ll never guess right. I don’t exist after all. Or at least only the Dukes and Duchesses know about me.

Lisa finishes her drink and throws the glass away in frustration. Out of reflex, I grab it with my Telekinesis before it shatters. Lisa huffs in annoyance. “Fine, don’t tell me and keep your secret… I’m out of names to ask. So either you lied or you’re bullshitting me with your claim of being from a Marquess’s family. Also, good reflexes.”

Time to make a decision. Dad said Lisa could know everything. Do I tell her? I guess there’s no actual downside. Yeah, screw it. It worked out well with Alina.

“I didn’t lie… I really am not from one of the families you called out. But I’m also bullshitting you a bit as I’m not the daughter of a Marquess. But before you go through all the other Noble families why don’t I just tell you? I mean you already found out about me being a Noble soo…”

Her eyes light up. “I would love that! So what Noble rank is your family? You said no to Count… Is it just Viscount?”

I shake my head.

“Baron?” She asks in disbelief.

“It’s best if I just show you. But we need to go to my ship for that. Is it okay if I teleport you? My AI can send you the coordinates so you can double-check that I’m not planning to kidnap you or something.”

“I sent them to her interface!”

“Thanks, Clara,” I whisper while Lisa takes a look at the coordinates.

“They look fine to me. I’m still curious, especially now that you said my ship. There is so much that doesn’t check out. So please go ahead, I’m ready.”

I nod at her and spin up the Teleportation spell. To flex my power a bit, I don’t bother with standing up, and just grab the both of us while we’re still sitting down. We reappear aboard the Stargazer right next to my disguise chamber.

Lisa gasps. “What the hell is that magical power in the air?”

I just shrug and step into the chamber. “It’s just the magical battery… I’ll be right back, just relax for a moment. Oh, and to give you a hint about who I am… I’ve met your mother,” I wink at her and close the door behind me. I barely catch a glimpse of the surprise on her face. Then I press the button to revert to my true self.

It takes the usual five minutes until the process is finished, and I take a look at my hair which is now red again. Way better than those pink tips! A quick conversation with Clara confirms that Lisa is still looking at the entrance of the disguise chamber, so I teleport out and a bit to the side.

I reappear with a big smile on my face and call out to Lisa. “Hey there!”

She turns around and freezes. Her mouth opens and closes a few times. “Impossible,” she breathes. “How?”

I lead her to the living room, and we sit down. Then I introduce myself for real. “My name is Sara Valterion, as you might have guessed. I’m the daughter of Aidan and Jasmine Valterion and well, you don’t know about me because I was kidnapped as a little girl…”

“WHAT?” Lisa almost explodes when I tell her about my kidnapping. “How is that even possible?”

I shrug. “Things happened and people messed up and someone capitalized on it… I can tell you more if you want. It also includes the rediscovery of Earth,” I wink at her in the end.

Now she looks even more dumbfounded. “Earth? Really?”

“Yup, that’s why Grandpa John included other colleges besides RMA in the Earth competition.”

“Of course, you would call the Emperor Grandpa John… I don’t know what to say. I need another drink!”

I teleport a bottle and a glass before her. “You don’t have to say anything. Just listen to the tale of a girl living in an anti-Mage nation…”