My beloved daughter, Rosalyn,

 

How is your life at Bronde Academy? 

 

I’m delighted to share some wonderful news with you.

 

A long letter filled with joyous news after a long time.

 

Tears streaming down her face, Sir Wenford’s daughter, Rosalyn Wenford, held it close to her heart.

 

“Father…” she whispered.

 

Her luscious red curls that cascaded down her back like summer roses; those vibrant green eyes that sparkled like fresh leaves; and a delicate, intelligent face that possessed both innocence and allure.

 

She was considered one of the two most beautiful students at the academy, alongside Princess Diana. A soft smile bloomed on her lips as she read.

 

It had been years since her father had been exiled to the frontier, having fallen out of the Emperor’s favor. After her family lost its power, Rosalyn’s life had turned into a living nightmare overnight.

 

Friends she had once been close to had abandoned her.

 

She was subjected to nothing but scorn, cold stares, and veiled insults.

 

Even life at the academy, a place where most students went with hearts full of hope and excitement, was a constant reminder of her isolation. She was treated like an invisible ghost.

 

However, as fate often does, her family’s fortune had changed overnight.

 

Her father was now the Minister of War, in charge of the Empire’s entire army. Her status was elevated as the precious daughter of the Minister of the War.

 

And all these miracles were thanks to a single play.

 

“The Phantom Writer…”

 

She didn’t know if he had actually based the play on the Emperor and her father. But regardless of his intentions, the ripple effect of his work had been extraordinary.

 

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

 

For Rosalyn, who had been living a life of misery and despair, the Phantom was more than just a playwright.

 

He was her savior, the one who had rescued her from a life of suffering. 

 

He was a Hero among Heroes, a knight in shining armor, straight out of a fairytale.

 

Of course, her respect for Phantom wasn’t just because she owed him a debt of gratitude

 

Even ignoring that aspect, <Admiral Lee> was a genius work.

 

It wasn’t merely because the content was entertaining.

 

Phantom’s script had a strange power that captivated people.

 

It drew you in, making you feel like you were watching real people, not fictional characters; it was an immersive experience, unlike anything she had ever encountered before.

 

Who else could have penned such an immortal masterpiece other than a master novelist?

 

“…Fufufu.”

 

Lost in her thoughts, she let out a giggle.

 

How long had it been since she could enjoy herself so freely?

 

It felt like she had returned to her carefree childhood days, without any worries.

 

Carefully folding her father’s letter and keeping it safe, Rosalyn gently turned the doorknob of her dormitory.

 

On the day when such an unexpected blessing found her.

 

There were naturally people with whom she had to share this joy.

 

 

 

✧❅✦❅✧

 

 

 

Shortly after the premiere of <Admiral Lee: The Final Battle>.

 

“W-What did the theater receive?”

 

I was dazed, my mind blank, as I asked the question.

 

“Sponsorship funds! A massive amount of sponsorship funds from the royal family! They said they want to attend the next performance together with His Majesty the Emperor!”

 

Mr. Renoir replied with a beaming smile.

 

“The young prince earnestly persuaded His Majesty! Apparently, he’s an ardent fan of Admiral Lee! He even joked that if the sequel had been delayed any longer, he might have deployed the Imperial Guard to apprehend you!”

 

…He was joking, right? He wasn’t serious about the Imperial Guard, right?

 

“Let’s talk about the rest inside! We need to discuss how to distribute the sponsorship funds. You’ll be receiving the lion’s share, of course, considering the significant contribution of your script! Hahahaha!”

 

Mr. Renoir laughed heartily and patted my shoulder, his joy infectious.

 

Thanks to Phantom, the theater’s prestige had risen, and he seemed overjoyed.

 

As for me, I couldn’t bring myself to share in his merriment.

 

 

 

✧❅✦❅✧

 

 

 

“Arhh…”

 

As I made my way back to the dormitory from the Killgrewber Theater Company, I let out a long sigh. I had changed back into my school uniform, shedding my Phantom disguise.

 

The thought crossed my mind, ‘I can’t just return the sponsorship funds, can I?’

 

If this was my old life as Ha Eun-seong, such a windfall would have sent me reeling with ecstasy. I had made a fortune from just two plays, a mountain of gold from ticket sales and the Imperial sponsorship sitting in my bank account.

 

But my sentiments as Balthazar Arture differed.

 

‘This is nothing like some rich patron’s sponsorship!’

 

The sponsorship was a sign of appreciation, but it was also a subtle form of pressure, a not-so-gentle nudge to produce my next masterpiece. It was a message, unspoken yet clear: I’ve given you this, so you better deliver.

 

And it better be good. Don’t even think about slacking off now.

 

Suddenly, an image flashed across my mind; a scene from a horror movie I had seen back in my old life, a movie that came out in 1990.

 

‘Ah! How dare you kill my Misery!’

 

‘You laze around after all I’ve done for you? An ungrateful writer!’

 

‘Your writing is magnificent, Paul! Which is precisely why I’m going to break your legs and make sure you never leave me!’

 

Misery, a movie based on a Stephen King novel, was a writer’s worst nightmare brought to life. It had just been a fun, fictional story in my old life. But here… it felt a little too real.

 

“Ugh, that’s chilling!”

 

I couldn’t help but shudder, recalling the harrowing scene of Annie Wilkes shattering the protagonist’s ankles.

 

But the deed was done; it wasn’t as if I could just refuse the sponsorships. 

 

That would be seen as an insult to the Imperial Family. And if I accepted it and then disappeared, that would be considered treason.

 

And besides, wouldn’t the theater company suffer if I suddenly quit? Finding another playwright who could replicate the Phantom’s success would be impossible.

 

So I slogged back to my dorm with a pounding in my head.

 

And upon opening my door, who should I find but…

 

“Hey there, roomie.”

 

Maurice, sitting on his bed with a slightly tipsy grin on his face, waved at me.

 

“Welcome back, Balthazar!”

 

And standing next to him, in our all-male dorm room… was Rosalyn.

 

“Rosalyn? What are you doing here?”

 

Rosalyn Wenford had always been isolated, having had to keep her distance from others due to her family’s political situation; the only people she was remotely close to were Maurice and I. Our families had long-standing ties with the Wenford family.

 

Even then, we had to be careful not to attract too much attention, given her father’s strained relationship with the Emperor.

 

“Well, it just became official. My father has been appointed Minister of War. The Emperor has finally recognized his loyalty!” 

 

“R-Really?”

 

I had caught wind of such rumblings in recent days.

 

Sir Wenford, the honorable general, fallen into disfavor and relegated to the borderlands by the Emperor’s whim…

 

I had heard those rumors. They said he was mending his relationship with the Emperor and preparing for his return to politics.

 

They had seemed like baseless gossip, but Rosalyn’s reaction confirmed that they were true.

 

“It’s all thanks to the Phantom writer. My father was able to return to the capital because of his play,” Rosalyn said, clasping her hands together and gazing up at the ceiling with a dreamy expression.

 

“He’s a genius, a gift from heaven. The delicate lines that touch the soul, the characters’ powerful conveyance and immersion, and even the impeccable pacing—he’s like a savior of my life and soul.”

 

…And that Phantom is actually me.

 

It felt strange hearing someone praise me so effusively, right to my face.

 

Whistle—!

 

Maurice whistled from behind to tease me; his mischievous, giggling face made me want to give him a good smack.

 

Feeling somewhat awkward, I quickly tried steering the conversation in another direction.

 

“That’s great news, Rosalyn. But you didn’t come all the way here just to sing the Phantom writer’s praises, did you? Female students aren’t allowed in the boys’ dormitories.”

 

Bronde Academy strictly separates living areas by gender.

 

Both boys and girls are barred from entering each other’s designated areas according to school rules.

 

Of course, there were always rule breakers, students who found ways to sneak around. But it was surprising to see Rosalyn, a model student, breaking the rules.

 

“No, that’s not why I came,” Rosalyn said with a gentle smile. She took a step closer, her voice barely a whisper. “I just… wanted to thank you and Maurice. Especially you.”

 

“Thank me?”

 

“Yes, because of you, I managed to survive the harrowing times at the academy. When others treated me like an outcast, it was your kind words and warm gaze that helped me get through it.”

 

“…………..”

 

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? Fortune and misfortune come and go like a spiral. Life is unpredictable. You told me to be patient, to persevere, and that one day, the light would shine on me again.”

 

She quietly held my hand and bowed her head.

 

A soft blush spread across her peach-colored cheeks.

 

“Thank you. Because of your words, I didn’t give up, and I was able to experience a miracle like today. You and the Phantom writer are my lifelong Heroes, Balthazar.”

 

Endure, and the light will shine again.

 

Those weren’t words I had spoken with any real conviction; they had simply been words of comfort, offered to a girl who was being ostracized for no fault of her own.

 

I had lived a long life, fifty years if you combined my time in this world with my previous life.

 

After going through all sorts of ups and downs, I’ve come to realize that the saying ‘Fortune is fickle’ was the most fitting adage.. And to think that my meaningless words of comfort, coupled with two plays I had written on a whim, had saved her life…

 

A sense of pride gently swelled within me, a feeling I had never known before.

 

Reflecting on my current self, I thought my parents back home would be incredibly proud of their son’s ‘achievements.’

 

‘…Come to think of it, even my parents don’t know I’m Phantom.’

 

The only person who knows I’m Phantom was my childhood friend, Maurice.

 

I had returned to boarding school shortly after finishing the second script, so I hadn’t had a chance to tell them. Which was why I had received a package from home containing two tickets to <Admiral Lee>, along with a note urging me to take a nice girl on a romantic date.

 

‘I don’t even have the luxury to think about dating.’

 

Especially now with the sponsorship funds from the royal family.

 

I had to find inspiration, churn out new material and complete the script swiftly.

 

An epic tale befitting a hero comparable to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, one that would resonate with both the imperial family and nobility.

 

But in the face of this, I drew a blank.

 

After all, it wasn’t as if a character as spectacular as Admiral Yi would just pop into my head.

 

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Maurice lifted a glass from the communal table and said.

 

“Hey, Balthazar! Come and join us! Rosalyn brought some top-tier wine to celebrate! And she even brought a board game! We’re going to play once you get here.”

 

“Wine? Fine. But a board game? Are you five years old?”

 

“I-I’m sorry, Balthazar. It was actually my idea because I wanted to play. Maybe it’s a bit childish?”

 

“…It’s just that you have childlike innocence and purity, Rosalyn! Even adults have at least one cherished hobby that never changes!”

 

Damn it, Maurice.

 

I hesitated, trying to gauge Rosalyn’s reaction. But Maurice, oblivious to my discomfort, gestured towards my usual seat and said, “Hurry up and sit down, man! We need to start! The die is already cast!”

 

“Oh, shut up.”

 

A board game? Seriously? My head is killing me.

 

I don’t care if some stupid die has been… wait a minute.

 

The die is cast?

 

That’s it—!!

 

An idea struck me.

 

Feeling jubilant inside, I clenched my fists tightly.

 

The Phantom’s next work following <Admiral Lee>.

 

I finally knew who the protagonist should be.

 

 

 

— End of Chapter —