Chapter 3: A Plan To Change Fate

On my way back to the manor, it was a peaceful ride. I had to request the coach to move a little faster than our current travel speed and he obeyed what I had asked him to. We reached the town not long after. It was a little quiet even though it is only 4pm and there are few people in the streets. And just few miles away, a loud whine from an animal heard outside following with the halt of the carriage. The coach made a loud noise that made me all worried immediately. I opened the door of the carriage and stepped out cautiously then peeked at the front before proceeding to walk towards the coach. He sighed out of worry then muttered under his breath "Dear Merlin..." I went ahead to see what had happened. There I see a dog, a border collie breed, with its tail between its legs. Ears drawn to the back of its head while trying to maintain its distance away from the horse but having troubles to move, while the horse standing on the spot, a little bit agitated.

"What has happened?" I asked and tried to get closer to the horse. The horse immediately anticipated my presence behind it and moved away from me. I too was a little bit shock from the horse's behavior so I kept my distance so instead, I tried to get closer to the dog. The dog did not try to get away from me and kept its eyes locked to the large horse that is pulling my carriage.

"Damned dog got in front of the horse and got the horse's feet stomped him!" the coach replied to my question. I turned back to his direction then to the horse and then back to the dog. We were riding quite fast due to my request to get back to the manor early as possible, unknowing of the outcome. I am taking the blame for this one so I went to ahead to the dog and tried to see what is wrong with it. I soon found out its a male dog. What surprises me is that this dog is actually healthy, well groomed but its paws are questionably dirty. He didnt have any collar on him so I am a little confident of taking him in however, still considering that the dog is well groomed had me thinking that it could have an owner somewhere. I looked around to see where could the dog came from before colliding to the horse.

"Where did the dog come from?" I asked the coach. The coach could only point the direction. "From there!" He said. I looked at the direction where he pointed at and see for myself. The direction leads to an alleyway with a welcoming upside down U shape of a cement entrance that leads to another road. I tried to pick up the border collie from the ground and he is heavy in a satisfying weight for a dog. I did however managed to pick him up and though border collies are not that big but picking him up making it seems like I am carrying an oversized baby that is twice my size. I also did find where the dog was hit, just below its ribs thats why it refuses to move from the ground due to the pain whereas if it were to be the leg that was injured, it is most likely for the dog to still runaway with three legs still working. He whined from the pain so I made sure to hold him properly where I wouldnt put pressure around his lower ribs and proceeded to walk towards the alleyway but before I proceed, I told the coach to wait for me and find somewhere to park nearby so I wouldnt lose him. He agreed to what I told him to and did so immediately then I turned my back against him. I walked to the alleyway and there isnt much of people there, though I must say, they all turn to look at me as I walk by with the dog in my arms. Somehow, they paid more attention to the dog more than me. I felt a little relieved because the eyes are not on me and they are not looking at me weird or anything that despises me.

"Hanni!" from the distance, I heard a boy calling out a name. He went on to call the name a few more times before I got even curious when the dog's tail started wagging. I figured that it isnt gonna be hard to find the owner of the dog. I followed the voice through the alleyway, taking me further away from where I came through. The louder the voice is, the closer I get, and the dog seems to be more excited so I didnt stop walking till I reach the voice but when I turned left, it was a dead end. Well, not entirely a dead end but it was blocked by woods and crates as if it was purposely closed so I turned to the other way that is open and proceed to try to get to the voice, however, the path I took seems to get me further away from the voice so I tried to get back on track as soon as possible, trying to find a left turn but always met with right or straight paths only. In the game, I did have some troubles going through the alleyways in the map due to its maze-like layout and sometimes, some of them are just straight up impossible to go through without getting lost.

After lots of attempts, I eventually gave up. I could no longer hear the voice calling for the dog's name but at least now I know what's his name is. Hanni. Quite a cute name for a dog, I must admit that. If it were to be me, I would have named my dog "King Henry the III" or something like that. At least a royalty name for my pets. To be honest, I am not a dog person but more of a cat person. I own three cats at home and are named with simple names only because my mom refuses to call my cats the name I gave them and instead, call them names that are way too simple and way too country based name though it is a lot easier to call them with simpler names instead of a complicated title. Thinking about it, if I dont wake up soon from this bizarre dream, Im gonna miss my babies at home. One day has yet to pass in this world, maybe I can wait a little bit longer.

As I turned back to where I cam from, just few feet off from where I started, a hand on my shoulder startled me that I flinched away from the hand and when I turned around, a boy who seems to be around the same age as Carlos appeared behind me.

"I believe that is my dog..." when he said that, I quickly interacted with him about the dog and handed Hanni over to him. I also apologized about what happened to his dog. I was careful when I mentioned about his dog running in front of the carriage's horse's way and also careful with the detail about the dog's injury. I did my best to make it sound as the dog did nothing wrong whilst also making sure I am not in the wrong but willing to take responsibility because it is my carriage that got his dog injured. When he found out about what happened to his dog, he was baffled at first and looked at me with a dirty look although after seeing how sorry I was and expressed my guilt, asking if I could help in other way such as paying for the dog's treatment or do something for the dog's recovery, his expression soon changed into relaxed yet astonished face. I didnt understand at first but I keep apologizing to him.

"No, no, its alright..." He raised his hand in front of me to stop me from my streak of apologizing and lowered his head. "It is partially my fault because I let Hanni run around without a leash." I could hear a hint of remorse and regret in his tone while gripping the leash in his hand. I could tell he's being sincere though I dont find any fault in him so I kept quiet and didnt comment on more about him that could weigh the regret inside him. I simply replied to him that it is alright. Things happen whether it is good or bad. All we can do about it is to deal with it and adjust for our own sake. He looked at me a little confused and I must say I felt a little embarrassed because of that, that I turned away and tried to hide my face with my hair but all I could do is brush it because it isn't long enough while avoiding eye contact to him and telling him to forget what I said.

"What-- Oh no no no! Youre right! Exactly right! I just had to take it in, haha! Im a little bit slow sometimes." he replied to me and now becoming embarrassed too. It was an awkward silence between the two of us till I told him I have to go because the coach is waiting for my return. He bid me farewell while flustered and I too bid him farewell with a soft smile on my face and waved him goodbye. After that interaction, I walked back from where I entered the alleyway all jolly and giddy that I might walk skipping but I refrained myself from doing that because it would make me look silly more than what I look like right now. Somehow my chest feels a little lighter but a little sense of small pressure in my heart is noticeable. Ive had the same feeling together with my friend and its the type of feeling that I am willing to accept so I went along my way happily.

I looked around to see where my carriage is waiting and just a little scan around the area, I saw it along with the coach who's tending with the horse a bit. I walked towards him and he saw me so he quickly stopped what he is doing and opened the door for me. I have returned to my Carlos demeanor now. I have wiped away the hint of joy in my face. Though I'd still want to express and show it, unfortunately I cannot as I have to go back being Carlos. Im a little bit worried breaking my character there. I was too worried about the dog's situation that I forgot to act in character. Whatever, I must go back now. Im returning to the manor a little late but I think it isnt much of a problem and actually a great thing so I wouldnt have to be in that manor for too long. I am to just return to that manor for a place to sleep.

The carriage started to move now so I let my thoughts occupy me for now.

I truly have no plan right now. Waking up in a world that I only know from a game and becoming one of the characters there, the minor villain nonetheless. Carlos has many interaction with the protagonist and got a lot of beatings because Carlos needs to be put down to his place most of the times. I remember it because I was using the protagonist at that time but I am now the minor villain. I am just a side character but one of the characters that would shape the protagonist's decisions and outcomes, some character development too so even though I am just a side character in the story, I have many involvement in the story and I am very much relevant.

I have yet to see the protagonist in this world, neither at the school or in the town. I might have more time to think this through. As long as I havent woken up from this dream, Im gonna need to find a way to make things better for myself while knowing that Carlos is gonna die in the end. Ive read it from the official account of the developers that the only reason Carlos was killed is all because he have served his value in the story and would no longer be useful, therefore he has become obsolete right after he has served everything.

"Burn him!"

"LET HIM BURN!"

"LET HIM FEEL THE PAIN THAT HE HAS INFLICTED ON US!"

"We are finally getting rid of him"

He died burning and I know for sure that one of the worst thing to die is from burning alive. I cannot imagine the pain I would feel if I were to die as Carlos and have the same fate as him. The least I could is to alter some of the parts in the story in hopes of changing my fate. Doesnt matter if Im gonna die still, I just dont want to die from burning alive. Generally, I dont wanna die through punishments, I'd rather die from natural causes if ever I get a choice and if I ever could then I'm gonna have to work hard for the cause I want for myself. However, I cannot just disappear in the story and surely my involvement is very much needed here. I need to plan accordingly of how Im gonna play my cards right. Since I cannot just disappear, all I need to do is to change the outcome of my fate, thats all! Easier said that done I think because I know for sure the protagonist is following the original story because the wheel of fate is what makes him follow the story. As for someone like me who knows the story, I am a virus, a phenomenon, something that shouldnt exist in this place.

This game, Talent Thrones has multiple goddesses, Goddess of Fate, Wisdom, Creation, and Prophecy is very well known in the story due to their cause have the most impact in this world. If they truly exist just as well as in the game, my hypothesis is either the Goddess of Fate or Goddess of Prophecy would take notice of a certain person who defies the fated events and the prophecy of events would be avoided. Though just a hypothesis, I still fear the possibilities of what would happen next. To avoid the gazes of the goddesses I must thread carefully in this story. My involvement with the protagonist is a must and I must act accordingly like in reading a script and performing it to the audience. It should be flawless and seamless.

Though my goal is to change my cause of death, it would still be defying fate by all means so by any chance, I should tweak the story a little bit, give it a little bit of twists to change the result. Unfortunately, I do intend to keep the eyes of the goddess away from me, what more is there to look forward to if they already knew my ending anyway? I should give them a little bit of favor and give a little bit something to be interested on something that they would forget to terminate me and instead try and see my end in a different way.

I have not meet the protagonist yet and that is because he hasnt been transferred to my class yet. He is already enrolled to the school and by far still unknown, well, at least because I didnt mentioned him when I was at school. People are already talking about him and his talent. They are trying to figure out what is his true talent because it seems like he is good at everything he does. They are all confused how can one man be so great with everything and at the same time his talent is unknown. Some of them did some digging and found out his talent is feeble learning but looking at him, that talent does not suit him, rather, his talent may be hidden to everyone, his talent written in his file it might be just a cover, a bait to take to fool everyone. The protagonist's talent is indeed learning. He is incredibly a fast learner. He is smart, strong, resilient, perseverance and has a great intuition. His talent gave him lots of advantage with almost everything that makes him very good at things that is almost out of his league but he proves differently otherwise.

Due to his incredible capabilities, he was moved into a different section, to which Carlos is in. The section consists of smart students, talented, rich and wealthy, and nobles. From someone who came from the commoner's household, it is an honor to be transferred into a section that makes him equal to everyone inside the classroom. Though it is inevitable for some noble students to have him in the same section as him, most of the students quickly accepted him because they knew what how great he is. He gained the title of "The Great" because of it. Fortunately, all the compliments did not get to his head and stayed humble. He only shows pride when needed but mostly bravery is what he displays to everyone and remain respectful to everyone, including to those who are not nice to him like Carlos.

All I need to do is wait for him to be transferred in our section before I do my interaction with him which is surprisingly, Carlos trying to befriend him but after seeing everyone inside the classroom with how much they are trying to tell the protagonist not to take his hand, the protagonist knew something is wrong and refused to be acquainted with Carlos. Yes, that is their first interaction. As long as I start that situation, the story might flow accordingly in the story. I can tweak some of the few moments in the story but I gotta be careful. I still dont know if the goddesses are dormant here.

I soon laid down onto my soft big bed when I got back to the manor. Every human I passed by, I ignored all of them and just straightly went to Carlos' room which is mine now and I will treat it as my own. I rolled around the mattress, feeling the cushiony of it and the softness of the blanket that is coating my body. I am very comfortable and very much like in heaven. My room was nothing like this. The mattress feels like a brick and the blanket barely blocks any coldness that would still leave me freezing as I try to sleep. With this blanket, I wouldnt have the need to add more layers as I sleep.

It is now 5:24. I got home a little bit late because of the incident earlier and the sun is now setting. The sky has now a beautiful hue of orange colliding with a blue color, making a soft radiant color as they touches and creates another color of purplish pink in the sky. The clouds were feathery, like a hand of a maiden reaching beyond. It is all pretty and I can see it from the very big window with its curtains unwind as I lay down, limbs spread apart like a starfish basking in the gentle warmth of the sunlight. I stayed there like an unanimated object, watching the sun set with the blue color slowly consuming the sky, letting the night approach in, blankets the sky with a bluish dark and sprinkled with sparkles from the stars. The gentle sunlight has now been replaced with the serene moonlight. I do not feel the warmth anymore but somehow the coldness that I feel is rather pleasant to feel. I have became very busy before I wake up in this world. Always drowned with assignments. Activities that needed to be done before the deadline or else it would affect my grades, no matter how little it is.

A knock came by my door.  A small gentle knock.

"Master Carlos?" I heard the voice of the butler, Julien, address to me. "You are late for dinner. Please come down. The food is getting cold." He said and nothing more. I did not answer him and upon not receiving any reply, he opened the door slowly and scanned the room, in the bed, still in the same position, saw me lying down all comfortably and still wearing my uniform. He reminded me how unruly I am by lying down without having to change my attire then he came back to his original purpose by asking me to come down to the dining room and have my dinner.

"The food is getting cold you say? Well, I hurry up or take my time to get down there, either way the food is cold as it is already." I said. My eyes remained outside the window, gazing at the star that shines the brightest. "Bring me water and milk instead." I ordered him, trying to sound very demanding while at the verge of losing myself again, dwelling in to the sky's view. I did not get to see Julien's face when I broke my gaze from the sky to look at him. He had already turned his head away from me and walked out of my room, closing the door behind making less noise as possible.

I finally stood up from my bed. I decided to change my attire as what Julien scolded me to do. Since it is already night, I chose the clothes that is very well fitting for sleeping. Of course, it is the night gown. I did not know that men back in the days would wear night gown, I am not against it as it is very light, airy, comfortable, and easy to move in, I was just surprised by the idea of men wearing dress.

It wasnt long till Julien came back with a tray in his hand, on the tray is the water and a tall glass of milk, the items that I had specifically requested or ordered him to give me. When he saw me changed already, asked me if I were to go to bed early. I connected the dots that he must be referring to the nightgown I am wearing that might have indicated for Julien to think I am going to early in such hour. Unable to say anything, I could only nod to the conclusion he had to make things simple. He sets the tray down at the table then bowed to me being bidding me a goodnight and left after that. Nothing else. That is for the better I think.

I approached the table where the tray was set down. I picked up the glass of milk then slowly chugs it down. Not letting any drop of it be wasted. I did not realize how hungry I am till I am drinking this milk all the way down to my stomach, filling it. I didn't get to eat lunch or any snack in school due to being anxious about Eugene and the stares of everyone makes me lose my appetite to eat. I drink a little bit of water to wash my mouth and throat. Drinking milk still can make me a little bit thirsty though since I already drank lots of liquid, drinking the whole glass of water might put my stomach in full capacity.

I approached my bed again and laid down, properly this time. I don't know what time it is now but the sky is already dark but Julien said it is early. With having such a free schedule in this world, maybe I could enjoy sleep more than I could back then.

I tried to stay awake a little longer however, I keep yawning with each minute passes by and by time, I yawn more in between thirty seconds of the minute. I could stay up a little longer and sleepiness soon consumed me fully. I tried to fight off the heaviness of my eyelids to keep them open but I keep losing and eventually, I lost and finally fell asleep.

I was in a deep sleep till I was awoken by my own stomach growling, begging for food. I am still a bit tired but the hunger that is slowly eating my insides is surely getting overwhelming. I rose up from my bed and sees the room is completely dark. The heavy clouds have blocked the moonlight. I tried to get off my bed, suddenly I was struck with fear. The fear of darkness. I can feel my heart beating inside my chest getting louder and louder. I rubbed my eyes to see better but nothing. A new image started appearing in front me and it is not pleasant. It appears with a fluid body like and it's appearance is vicious with a single swollen eyes staring back at me. I got scared and covered my eyes but it did nothing as I can still see it. I know it is all inside my head and yet I am too scared to do something.

Fortunately, the sky had cleared up a little bit and the moonlight shines inside my room. The scary image of my own imagination disappeared. With the darkness has been cleared up, I was able to scan the room and sees the a candle stick. I did not hesitate to come and get it. It didn't take me long to look for some matches as well since candles and matches are crucial around this time. I lit up the candle and quickly the room is filled with orange light.

With a light in my hand, I chose to leave my room and look for the kitchen to find something to eat to fulfill my hungry stomach. Walking around the hallway of the manor with no slippers, feet on the cold ground that is surely turning numb with each step I take but I persevere just to reach the kitchen

There isn't any people in the kitchen and everything is dark as well. I took my candle to lit up every candle inside the kitchen. The smell of spices and the dishes that was cooked for the dinner I suspected still lingers in the room. The aroma made my stomach greedier for food. So I quickly searched the kitchen to find something but I could not find anything. Not even a leftover. I sighed to put out of frustration, shoulders slump.

All I see in this kitchen is ingredients... Nothing cooked... Wait. That's it! I can just cook for myself!

Given with idea, I didn't hesitate to grab a pan and an egg. However, I do not know how to use the fire here. We have stove in our house while this one is different, fueled by woods. Still, I attempted to lit a fire using the candle fire. Burning the fresh woods slowly but surely. The small embers emitting from the wood shows a good sign and soon the fire will grow into desired size and temperature for cooking. I placed the pan on the top and prepared the oil that I am going to put. Judging by the pan I knew it isn't any nonstick so I figured I'm gonna need the pan to be very hot so I waited. Testing the pain with water to see it evaporates and just a little bit longer, I finally put the oil in then spread it all around the pan and waited for the oil to get hot too. The eggs is already in my hand, ready to crack in the pan. With the oil very hot enough, I cracked the eggs open inside the pan. The oil started sizzling all around with some oils flying around. It had hit my hands at some point but it is alright since it is all small amount and won't leave any lasting pain. I then seasoned the eggs with iodized size, giving it a pinch for taste and after that's done, I took the spatula and scooped the eggs from the pan and placed it on the plate where I plan to eat from.

Phew. Simple eggs to give me something for my stomach. I joyed from the small moment I finished cooking then cautiously put out the fire to avoid possible fire hazard. I brought my plate to the nearby small table and set it down. I took the bread that I just saw sitting at other table and took it then looked for some spread for the bread. I found a strawberry jam which I did not think twice to take from the shelf and propped it down on the table.

I took out one slice of bread then spreads the jam around the top and ate it. I am surprised with the taste of the jam, being it very sweet but somehow it isn't sickening sweet. The bits of the strawberry is still there and I chew on it with delight. After that, I took another slice of bread then break the yolk of one of the eggs that I cooked with a fork then dips the slice of bread there and ate it. The taste of well salted yolk on the bread still gives me warmth. I went ahead to eat all of my midnight snack and relish to the taste I get to eat at this time.

From being full, I decided to stay a little bit longer. Hand on my stomach. I didn't realize how tired I am getting once again and fell asleep on the table, my head resting on my forearm as I sleep.

Hmm.... Hm... Yyyaaaawwwwnnnn. How long was I asleep? Huh? Since when did I get back to my room? I remember my tiredness caught up to me after eating. What? Hm, I must have been so sleepy that I forgot I returned to my room I guess...?

I am neatly tuck in my bed. My blanket conveniently covers every corner of my body that kept me warm.

I took the blanket off of my body and gets up to leave the bed. I can already see a small faint sunlight seeping through the closed curtains from the window.

I walked around the room, unknown to what to do next, I went to my school bag and reach for different notebooks. All of them holds the information that the teacher had us write down the following that is written on the board. The teacher had asked us to read it before tomorrow, which is today, so their discussion will go smoothly and hoping the students would have an idea what the discussion is all about by reading in advance. And as a good student I am, I went ahead and open the first notebook of the first subject later school and read the contents inside.

The lesson that is written down is already known to me. I already know it due to multiple repeating of the lesson in each grade. Though it is repeating, the level goes up so it is understandable. I continue to read ahead and it isn't hard for me to take in the information I already knew, still, it is better to read it again in order to not let any information slip away.

And after reading the first notebook, I decided to switch ahead to another notebook and read it. This time, the content written inside is easy. It is all about evaluating human principle. Though easy to understand, I didnt let my chance to slip away to read it so I did. Subject like this would always appear the easiest one but one of the hardest because it is sometimes difficult to understand when put in the actual field of reality and would question some of your principles. No wonder Carlos never became a good person. It is because he doesn't read this. I jest. But still.

I skimmed through every notebook easily because there isn't much. When I got to the notebook that is labeled for magic. It is expectedly empty. The school has been weeks since it started so surely the other students would have something inside their notebook written with informations regarding about magics. Sigh... Carlos, why didn't you write anything? Defeated, I threw the notebook to the side and moved on to the last one. It is about numbers, other word, math.

The math here is surprisingly easy because of modern math has yet to be created by some crazy geniuses like Einstein. I am free from algebra and calculus thank god!

The math written inside is more on about basics only but the numbers are big. The only thing that is modern in this math subject is the permutation. A series of possible combination of numbers. Though easy, it is confusing at some point. I skipped the basic math ones and read the permutation to reawaken the information , the stocked knowledge inside my mind and I sure about it. I had studied it back then and one of the most fun lesson in our math, must be because of my math teacher making everything interesting even if the subject is boring

I fixed my things, the notebooks including the other stationary items that I pulled out of my bag. I arranged them in a way how it would be easy for me to get the item inside my bag.

I finished reviewing or advanced reading about the topics that will be discussed today. It would be fine for me to pay a little less of attention inside the class.

"Master Carlos." Julien has now arrived. He knocked on my door before opening it gently. He saw me in the middle of arranging my things and looked a little bit suspicious. At some point I'm gonna need to get used to everyone looking at me as if Im up to something no good.

"Good morning Master Carlos. You woke up quite early today." He said and stood still from a respective distance from me.

"Prepare me a bath. I'd like to wash myself before leaving." I told him. He bowed his head to me before saying. "Very well Master Carlos. I will fetch for you once your bath is ready." Then left to execute the order I gave him.

Julien isn't the head butler though he is a veteran butler who has been working here for a very long time. His loyalty has been placed here since he was employed. I sometimes did wonder if Julien have any relatives outside this place and had me worried because he never seem to mention any name regarding about his past in the game. I do feel a little bit pity for him because he is assigned to attend for Carlos. Carlos doesn't choose when it comes to ruining someone's day or life overall and unfortunately for Julien, his day is always ruined to the point it is normal now. For once he questioned his loyalty to this family and believes that only he can handle Carlos and even the head of this family do think so too that is why he appointed Julien in the first place.

Fear not Julien, I would try to avoid as much as possible from ruining your day and I will be very cooperative when it comes to you. You are old now, you need a break. Amen.

After a few long minutes, Julien came back and informed me that my bath is ready and the uniform for school is prepared as well. I opened my door and stepped out. Julien led me to the bathroom and from then I entered, leaving Julien outside.

After bathing, I felt fresh and new. My skin feels soft from the soap and the shampoo is very fragrant. I stepped out of the bathtub and reached for my towel to dry myself, making sure that my hair is not dripping water on my shoulders. Then I put on my uniform and stepped out of the bathroom. I was surprised to see Julien is still there. Was he waiting the whole time? Oh no, I hope I didn't take too long inside bathing.

"Breakfast will be ready soon. Is there something you would like to do first?" He asked. I thought about it first while walking back to my room followed by Julien.

"I'd like to go to the garden"