I Don't Need To Log Out

Although many races lived in Trion, Arlon mostly interacted with Maguses.

The reason was straightforward. While Beastmen were the most commonly encountered race in random towns due to their large population, Maguses typically occupied positions of higher authority.

As a race of magicians, Maguses had a natural inclination for reading, research, and experimentation.

Their dedication to intellectual pursuits made them stand out among the inhabitants of Trion. They sought knowledge for its own sake, constantly pushing the boundaries of magic and science.

This intellectual focus placed them among the more intelligent races in Trion, alongside the Dwarves.

However, while Dwarves preferred hands-on work such as crafting and engineering, Maguses gravitated toward governance, administration, and policymaking.

It wasn't unusual to find Maguses at the helm of important councils or serving as advisors to local leaders.

Their influence extended beyond mere bureaucracy. Maguses were also innovators.

Their knack for combining magical theory with practical application had led to many advancements in Trion, from alchemical breakthroughs to magical device engineering.

Their contributions made them indispensable in both peacetime and war.

---

After the meeting concluded and some brief chatter among attendees, everyone dispersed and returned to their homes.

Arlon headed back to the room Charon had provided for him. Though the room was comfortable enough, it wasn't where Arlon wanted to be.

For a moment, he considered lingering to eavesdrop on the soldiers' meeting.

Whatever they discussed could provide valuable insights into the current state of Trion's defenses.

But he quickly dismissed the idea. Charon was sharp, and there was no doubt he would catch Arlon red-handed.

Instead, Arlon spent the night engrossed in reading "A Magician's Secret".

Despite its importance, he still hadn't managed to read it all the way through from cover to cover.

The book was dense, filled with complex theories and intricate details about the nature of magic in Trion as well as new spells.

Arlon found the book essential to understanding why the Blink spell he had created by changing his Teleport had turned into a skill instead.

In Trion, skills were useful but lacked the versatility and adaptability of spells.

To improve his magic and avoid repeating the same mistake, he needed to fully grasp the distinction between the two.

As he read, time slipped away unnoticed. The world outside faded, and before he realized it, dawn had arrived.

---

The following day, Arlon decided to visit the inn once again to see if a room had become available.

He disliked staying in the room Charon had offered—it felt like charity, and that didn't sit well with him.

Arlon preferred independence and had always prided himself on standing on his own two feet.

Unfortunately, his luck hadn't changed. No one had vacated their rooms.

While at the inn, he struck up a conversation with the innkeeper, a bald Beastman with a fur-covered body that contrasted comically with his bare scalp.

For some reason, this innkeeper was the same kind as the one in Oceina. Even their balding heads were the same.

He thought about a bald Beastman family operating all the inns in Trion like those families on Earth.

Arlon couldn't help but be amused. How do Beastmen even groom themselves? he wondered. Do they brush their fur like animals? Or is there some magical solution to prevent shedding?

The innkeeper interrupted his musings. "I see you around all the time. Why are you still looking for a room here?"

"What do you mean, why? I need a place to sleep," Arlon replied.

"But you're always here. Don't you have a home?"

The question caught Arlon off guard. He froze for a moment, realizing he had never thought about it. Why don't I have a home here?

In his past timeline, Arlon had always logged out at night. A permanent residence had never been necessary.

But now, with his circumstances changed, the absence of a home felt glaringly obvious.

He decided it was time to look into housing prices in Istarra.

Though he would prefer to settle in Oceina someday if he ever retired, Istarra had its advantages.

Its proximity to the Morealis portal made it a strategic location, and for now, Istarra served as his self-designated "post."

Even if his stay in Istarra wasn't permanent, owning a house would be practical.

Fortunately, Arlon had amassed a substantial amount of money from selling items and defeating Keldars.

His wealth would only grow with time, so he resolved to learn how to buy property in Trion in the near future.

With that decision made, he returned to his usual spot to help the players.

---

The tournament was fast approaching, and the atmosphere in Istarra buzzed with activity.

Preparations were in full swing, and everyone had a role to play in ensuring the event went smoothly. For Arlon, his task was to guide players on how to register for the tournament.

However, he had overlooked a crucial detail: his fame.

As the Legendary Guide of Istarra, Arlon was well-known among the players. Every new arrival sought him out the moment they entered the city.

Some genuinely needed guidance, while others were simply curious, hoping to confirm whether the guide Arlon and the player Arlon were the same person.

Avoiding them wasn't an option. Charon was undoubtedly keeping a close eye on him, and shirking his responsibilities would only draw unwanted attention.

Reluctantly, Arlon helped every player who approached him, answering their endless questions and directing them as best he could.

Charon, of course, knew that Arlon wasn't a true guide. But as long as Arlon stayed under Charon's roof—freeloading in his spare room—he was obligated to fulfill his duties.

Despite the chaos, Arlon managed to register himself for the tournament. Wearing the plain white mask Charon had gifted him, he signed up when no one else was around.

Though he considered using a false name, he knew it wouldn't matter. His skills would reveal his identity once the fighting began. Resigned to the inevitable, he registered as Arlon.

---

The next day, Arlon resumed his duties.

However, with the tournament only four days away—and knowing players couldn't log in on weekends—the number of arrivals in Istarra skyrocketed.

The streets were packed, and the crowd around Arlon grew so thick he barely had a moment to rest.

Desperate for relief, he decided to put a plan into action—a brilliant idea he'd come up with earlier. He would enlist the help of players to share his workload.

He didn't think this would be abusing his powers since this is what everyone did.

This wasn't a game, so every "quest" given by the Trionians known as NPCs were actually things they didn't want to do and laid on the players.

He was going to do the same thing

He wondered if he was losing his humanity after not logging out 24/7.

With this logic in mind, Arlon reached out to the people he trusted most among the players: the Gamers Guild.

After receiving Arlon's summons—and likely remembering the rewards from last time—the five friends arrived quickly.

"Sir Arlon, how may we help you today?" Pierre asked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.

Arlon had prepared a formal-sounding NPC-style dialogue and recited it with practiced precision.

"... In short, I need you to help me guide players who want to register for the tournament. You will be rewarded with gold."

The Gamers lit up with excitement. Did this mean they would receive NPC privileges? Would the system recognize them as part of Istarra's administration?

Unsurprisingly, this wasn't the case. Their task was simple: go to different entrances of the town and announce that they could assist with tournament registration.

The group embraced their roles with enthusiasm, spreading out to manage the influx of players.

From then until Friday evening on Earth, they diligently helped with the registration process.

By the time the servers closed for the weekend, tournament registration was officially complete. No players would be able to log in until the event began on Monday.

With his responsibilities taken care of, Arlon found himself with little to do over the weekend except wait.

He spent the time training, sharpening his skills, and preparing himself mentally for the challenges ahead.

---

The weekend passed quickly, and Monday arrived.

Arlon was ready to head to the tournament site.

During the weekend, many administrators had arrived in Istarra. While Zephyrion himself wouldn't be attending, Arlon was certain his eyes and ears were present.

One notable arrival was Lady Rael, a high-ranking figure whom Arlon had met in his past timeline.

Back then, he had been the strongest player, and their paths had crossed during similar events.

Arlon suspected that her presence was no coincidence—she was here for him. When they talked briefly, he had assured her they would speak during the tournament.

With that settled, Arlon prepared to leave for the tournament grounds. But there was one final thing he needed to do before departing.

The spell he had learned on his way to Istarra would now prove invaluable.

Arlon understood his unique position. The government needed him in two capacities: as a Trionian and as a savior. However, no one could know that these two identities were the same person.

To maintain this secrecy, Arlon had learned the spell Doppelganger (Weakened), which allowed him to create a temporary copy of himself.

The doppelganger wasn't strong and would disappear after taking a single hit.

However, since players wouldn't have a reason to attack him, and Trionians wouldn't question his presence, it was the perfect solution.

He summoned the copy and dressed it in the Sentinel's Legacy Set—the same armor associated with his identity as the Legendary Guide.

The copy would act as the guide, fulfilling his duties in Istarra while Arlon entered the tournament as himself.

Thanks to the spell's sensory-sharing feature, he could monitor the copy and manage it remotely if necessary.

After sending the doppelganger ahead, ensuring Charon and Shirl would accompany it, Arlon left for the tournament grounds.

Charon, ever perceptive, probably knew what Arlon had done. But if he did, he chose not to comment.

When Arlon arrived at the tournament site, the atmosphere was electric.