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Lord of Entertainment C3 Younger Sister
🕑 Added 2024-08-16 22:52:17 +0000 UTCAs I collected my things, my mind raced with possibilities for leaving the demon realm.
The most straightforward option was by airplane, but that was out of the question. I couldn't board a plane without using my demon prince ID, which would immediately give me away. Even with my new disguise skill, where would I get a convincing fake ID? My isolated life in the palace meant I lacked the connections to forge one.
Traveling by boat or ship was another possibility, but the sea was notoriously dangerous. Not to mention, it would take a significant amount of time to reach my intended destination in the human realm, given how far it was from our continent.
As I considered my options, I thought about the human territories I'd learned about. There were two main ones, each offering unique opportunities.
The first and most appealing was Novaterra, the most powerful nation in this world. It represented the pinnacle of human achievement. Entertainment, technology, culture - Novaterra excelled in all these fields and more. It was so renowned that even humans from other territories dreamed of going there.
The second human territory was Aethoria, the largest human kingdom. While impressive in its own right, many Aethorians dreamed of moving to Novaterra, chasing what they called the "Novaterrarian Dream." It reminded me of the "American Dream" propaganda from my previous life, which only strengthened my resolve to reach Novaterra.
My ultimate goal was clear: I needed to reach Jollywood, the entertainment capital of Novaterra. It was there that I stood the best chance of gaining the fans the system demanded, of making a name for myself beyond the shadow of my demonic heritage.
As I brainstormed, the idea of using a portal crossed my mind. Portals could transport someone to another continent effortlessly - but they were restricted to higher-ups, off-limits to commoners and even most nobles. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. That was a dead end, at least for now.
Deciding to test my new disguise skill, I walked back to the mirror. As I activated the ability, I watched my reflection shimmer and change. The face that looked back at me was startlingly familiar - not my current demon prince visage, but the face I'd worn in my previous life.
I couldn't help but chuckle. It was, frankly, quite ugly compared to my current appearance. But that wasn't the point - the disguise skill had worked like a charm. I was unrecognizable.
But as I admired the transformation, I felt a gradual drain on my magic. The disguise was consuming energy at an alarming rate. I estimated I could probably hold it for ten minutes at most, possibly less.
I sighed, my expectations deflating like a punctured balloon. Disappointed, I tossed my packed bag to the side. It was clear I wasn't going anywhere just yet.
The reality of my situation sank in. Before I could even think about leaving the palace and living independently, I needed to master this disguise skill. I had to be able to maintain it for hours, not minutes. Only then could I venture out into the world and try to forge a convincing ID.
Until then, I was stuck in the palace. But maybe that wasn't entirely a bad thing. It gave me time to plan, to practice, to prepare.
***
Days passed by, time flowing like a river. In the five days since receiving the system, I'd become almost obsessed with completing my tasks. Each day, I exercised in the palace halls, pushing my demon body to its limits.
I noticed the servants starting to look at me strangely, but I paid them no mind. There wasn't much difference in how they perceived me anyway - I'd always been the odd one out.
My progress with the disguise skill was particularly encouraging. Through constant practice and use, I'd managed to level it up. Now, I could maintain a disguise for a full hour - a significant improvement from the initial ten minutes.
But the real breakthrough came when I noticed that the disguise affected more than just my appearance. My aura, the subtle energy that all demons emit, was also being masked. This was a game-changer. Even my father, the powerful demon king, might not be able to recognize me now. After all, many could still identify a demon by their aura, even if their appearance was altered.
As I admired my disguised reflection in the mirror, holding the transformation steady, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This was progress. Real, tangible progress.
But I knew I couldn't get complacent. An hour was good, but it wasn't enough. Not if I wanted to truly blend in among humans or other races. And there were still so many other skills to work on - my physical fitness, my magical abilities, my mechanical knowledge.
I let the disguise drop, watching as my familiar demon prince face reappeared in the mirror. The face of Arthur Asmodeus Nevermore - the face of someone who was no longer content to be the family disappointment.
***
Time flew by, and before I knew it, two weeks had passed since I gained the system. My skills had improved significantly, and I finally felt confident enough to attempt my escape from the palace.
With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I packed my bag and stepped out of my room. This was it - the moment I'd been preparing for.
But as fate would have it, I'd barely taken a few steps when I saw a familiar figure nearby. My younger sister, Apollonia, was standing in the hallway, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
I froze in my tracks. In all my planning, I'd somehow forgotten about my sisters.
While my two older sisters hardly paid me any attention, Apollonia had always been different. She was the only one in the family who showed any real affection towards me.
Apollonia's beautiful face was creased with a frown as she took in my appearance and the bag I was carrying. "Why are you carrying your belongings? Are you going somewhere?" she asked, her arms crossed.
I forced a laugh, feeling a bead of sweat slide down my forehead. "I... I am just planning a vacation outside the palace," I lied, hoping she wouldn't see through it.
Her eyes widened in shock. "A vacation outside the palace? You!?" The disbelief in her voice was clear. After all, I'd always been the shut-in brother.
She looked me up and down, her frown deepening. "You even cut your hair. Now your handsome face can be seen clearly - and you're looking pretty healthy compared to before?" She shook her head, clearly not buying it. "No. I don't think you're really healthy. Looks can be deceiving." Before I could protest, she grabbed my hand. "Let's go to the palace infirmary."
I felt helpless in the grip of my powerful younger sister. All my careful planning, all my training - and now I was being dragged to the infirmary like a child.
How could I get out of this without arousing more suspicion? Should I use my disguise skill? No, that would only raise more questions. I needed a plan, and fast.
"Apollonia, wait," I started, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can explain..."
