I have no name. To me, a name is nothing more than a temporary tool used to carry out missions.
When I’m not on a mission, people around me simply refer to me as “Number 3.”
I think I once had a real name, but after more than ten years, those memories have long faded.
Currently, I am merely one of the assassins of a secretive group, reputed to be the best on the Beltlin Continent (though this might not be entirely accurate). Our organization is elite (due more to lack of resources than anything else) and operates covertly (largely because we lack recognition).
Over these past ten years, my sword has remained untested, boasting a 0% mission failure rate (though this is because I’ve had zero missions).
Then, an order came in from the Guild Master.
“Number 3. I’ve heard you can now wield aura without issue.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
In response to the Master’s words, I unsheathed the sword at my waist and coated it with a black aura that seemed to devour light itself.
“Hahaha! Even those who boast about being Sword Masters couldn’t handle their auras as proficiently as you at your age. The moment you ascend to Sword Master, our organization will become the first assassin guild on the continent to employ a Sword Master. Everyone will fear us.”
The Master’s uncontrollable laughter made him look ridiculous, prompting an urge to give him a taste of my blade, but the mark of allegiance prevents me from doing so. I simply grimaced.
“In any case, I’ve summoned you here to assign you your first mission.”
“So, an assignment tough enough to warrant my involvement.”
“Hmm… It’s indeed a mission no one else in this organization can execute.”
“So, who’s the target?”
Though I lack actual combat experience, I am an assassin the guild has nurtured for years. If this mission requires someone like me, it must be something extraordinary.
A high-ranking nobleman with countless rivals? The owner of a competing merchant guild? Or maybe a regional lord exploiting the peasantry?
No matter who the target is, they won’t escape my blade.
“Assassinate Lady Selian, the daughter of the Marquis Deretia.”
“Huh?”
The marquis himself? His daughter?
“The Deretia family descends from the first Hero who defeated the Demon King. Now that a new Demon King has risen, his daughter is one of the leading candidates to become the new Hero. However, our client does not wish to see the Deretia family grow any stronger.”
“So, they value their own safety more than the threat from the Demon King’s Army?”
“The client’s priorities make it possible for people like us to survive.”
“Still, a Hero candidate. That’s definitely not an easy mission. That’s why no one else here can handle it?”
“Hmm, yes. To explain briefly, the target is due to enroll at the Imperial Academy. As you know, the Academy isn’t easy to infiltrate, and given that she’s both the daughter of a Marquis and a Hero candidate, getting close to her will be particularly difficult.”
“In that case, I should first figure out how to infiltrate the Academy.”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that. We’ve already arranged for you to get close to her. Your only task is to eliminate the target.”
“Indeed, Master. So, what do you have in mind?”
The Guild Master gestured to his subordinate, Number 7, who stood behind him. At his signal, Number 7 left the room briefly and returned with an old man dressed in shabby robes.
“This is a mage we obtained through great difficulty. Purely by chance, but he’s one of the few on the continent studying unique magic.”
“Sem Mogura. We’ll be working together from now on.”
After a slight nod in greeting, I exchanged pleasantries with the old mage.
“Number 3 will infiltrate the Academy as planned. For that, we’ll provide you with a temporary identity here, so please memorize it.”
Taking the documents handed to me, I reviewed the details.
– Elysia Frentz, 18 years old.
The daughter of the Frentz Viscount family, which was wiped out during the Demon King’s resurrection ritual when rampaging demons attacked. Elysia herself was presumed dead but survived thanks to a maid working in the Frentz household. Now orphaned with the maid’s passing, she joins the Academy to rebuild her family name and earn renown.
There’s more detailed information, but to summarize, this is roughly it.
“Hmm?”
Something feels off.
“Frentz… Lady Frentz?”
Upon seeing my puzzled expression, the old mage began explaining.
“You will become Lady Frentz during the mission, thanks to my magic.”
What the hell does that mean?
“So… you’re saying I have to pretend to be a woman using some illusion magic?”
“Don’t compare my work to some lowly illusion magic!”
At my casual remark, the old mage’s voice turned fierce and aggressive.
“The magic I’ve developed doesn’t mask appearances; it transforms you completely into a woman! Something many have tried but never succeeded in achieving!”
So this is what they meant by “unique magic”?
“But… don’t I have to know things like makeup and stuff? I’ve never learned any of that!”
“Are you mocking my TS magic? Proper TS magic creates a flawless, beautiful young lady who needs no makeup—this is common knowledge!”
His chilling and serious tone left no doubt about his sincerity.
Mages are often oddballs, and now I see why.
“Alright… I get it. Your magic is truly incredible.”
Whether I actually believed it or not, I placated the old mage to calm him down.
No matter what happens, this is my first mission, and I can’t afford to mess it up.
Thus, for about a month, I committed my temporary identity to memory, studying the basic decorum and mannerisms expected of a noble young lady.
Finally, the day before enrollment.
I stood before the old mage to receive the TS transformation magic.
“My magic will turn you into a woman, not an illusion. There’s no duration limit, but you can return to your original form by undergoing the magic again.”
Being familiar with this, I simply nodded lightly.
“However, though the magic is still being refined, there might be some unexpected side effects. But major issues have been ruled out, so there’s no need to worry excessively. Please step onto the magic circle.”
Following his instructions, I stepped onto the magic circle, and he began chanting a complex spell with his staff.
As glowing light emerged from the staff and the circle, warmth spread across my body, becoming almost unbearable.
When the light finally faded, I looked down to assess my transformation.
Thinner arms, newly formed breasts, a slender waist, and wider hips greeted my gaze. My figure definitely seemed smaller now, as the clothes I had worn before became loose.
Testing my limbs, there was a slight unfamiliarity, but nothing that would hinder movement.
Glancing at the mirror set nearby, I saw the face of a girl frowning in mild irritation.
My once dark, dull hair had transformed into soft, luminous silver hair, flowing down past my shoulders.
Donning the female attire prepared beforehand, there was no trace of my original identity left. In its place stood a delicate and elegant woman.
“Perfect. The Master wasn’t wrong to bring you in.”
“You should now understand the greatness of TS magic. I’m quite exhausted, so if you’ll excuse me.”
Only then did I realize how taxing the magic must have been, despite its apparent simplicity.
Now, only the final challenge remains.
My blade gleams and its edge shall bring judgment.
Griffin Academy
Regarded as the top national academy in the empire, Griffin Academy draws not just nobles but even international students due to its prestige. Unlike other prestigious private academies, Griffin Academy accepts applicants regardless of their social status. Talented commoners who excel in the admissions process can also join, though due to various barriers, most commoners who attend usually have some connections or ‘patrons’ backing them.
Graduates of this academy are highly sought after for employment by influential organizations, making the academy an investment of sorts for students’ futures.
The academy offers four main fields of study: Swordsmanship, Magic, Governance, and Theology. These fields are further divided into various specializations.
I’m part of the first-year Swordsmanship class, and so is my assassination target.
It makes sense then that I would see her during the current enrollment ceremony.
Her luscious golden hair, which was tied in a ponytail, looked even more beautiful in person.
Beyond her flowing hair, I could see the delicate curve of her neck.
She was shorter than me in my current female form, but her presence commanded attention nonetheless.
She turned around, perhaps sensing my gaze, smiled, and then redirected her attention forward.
It’s a pity that my mission includes killing this innocent girl, but I’m a professional assassin. Compassion and hesitation have no place in my sword’s path.
“The ceremony will now conclude. Welcome, first-year students!”
The principal’s concluding remarks marked the end of the two-hour-long ceremony.
Following the guidance of our homeroom teacher, we entered the classroom. Most students formed small groups with those they knew, while I quietly occupied a seat at the very back, keeping to myself. I scanned the classroom for my assassination target.
As expected, the famous Lady Selian was surrounded by both male and female students eager to befriend her.
She seemed very sociable, exchanging light-hearted conversations with everyone. Then, perhaps noticing someone else among the crowd, her gaze began to scan the room.
Naturally, our eyes met again.
Expecting her glance to quickly move away, I was surprised when she continued to hold my gaze and slowly approached me.
Thinking there might be someone else behind me, I turned around, but the corridor was empty.
She pulled out a chair next to me and sat down.
“Nice to meet you. I noticed you standing earlier during the ceremony.”
I didn’t anticipate this kind of engagement, but it could be an excellent opportunity, so I greeted her with a smile.
“My name is Elysia.”
“Such a beautiful name. I’m Selian Deretia. Friends call me Sel.”
She bowed lightly in acknowledgment, and I reciprocated. Even though the academy’s rules discourage distinctions between noble and commoner students, her natural grace in bowing was a rare display of nobility.
“Ah, Deretia… The first Hero…”
Pretending to be impressed, I began a conversation.
“Yes, you’re quite informed. That’s the Deretia family, indeed.”
She tilted her head slightly with a shy smile, embodying pure innocence.
“Of course, with your family’s history, almost everyone in the empire knows the tale. Especially now, given the Demon King’s recent resurrection.”
The story of the Hero who defeated the Demon King centuries ago is common knowledge, but with the current situation, everyone is particularly interested.
“Why were the others—”
She was followed here by a group of admirers who now stood awkwardly around us, unsure of what to do.
Unable to avoid the situation, Selian glanced around and spoke.
“Oh, I was about to sit here anyway. What will you all do?”
Ultimately, Selian joined me on the side, while her followers occupied seats closer to us.
She approached so easily, lowering her guard and making contact with me. This TS magic is truly impressive.
“As things stand now, it seems like an opportunity will arise soon.”
Back at the dormitory, I immediately relayed the day’s happenings via a communication magic device. Dorm rooms varied from single occupancy to shared rooms with up to four students, but I had specifically requested a single room to ensure mission efficiency. The fee was costly, but the compensation after the mission’s completion made it a practical investment, especially since I wouldn’t be staying all four years.
Though I have full authority and responsibility for the mission, as this is my first assignment, I chose to report thoroughly for extra caution.
-That’s great news. Are there any suspicious individuals around?
“No suspicious individuals so far. That said, I believe we’ll need some time to find a chance to be alone with the target. The surrounding people are always present.”
-Understood. Remember, the guild’s future rests on your success. Make no mistakes… Wait… What’s going on over there!? Who are you, intruders!
Noises erupted from the other end of the communication device.
Sensing a potential ambush, I immediately destroyed the device to avoid any possibility of my location being traced if the intruders managed to seize their end of the communicator.
I quickly changed back into my black assassin garb and slipped out of the dorm room window into the night.
Although the guild’s headquarters were distant, it wasn’t an insurmountable distance for a night journey. The current priority was the state of the guild, not my mission.
Swallowing my unease, I vanished into the night.
“This situation with the Demon King’s Army is bad enough, and now these ruffians are causing more trouble.”
“Only the head of the house or the young mistress might have any worries, but you?”
Two men guarded the guild’s hidden entrance. Their well-armed appearance suggested they were professional soldiers rather than ordinary bandits. The emblem of the Deretia family was emblazoned on their armor.
This attack couldn’t have been coincidental. Information about the assassination must have leaked somehow.
I carefully avoided detection using the shadows, infiltrating the guild’s premises through a hidden passage.
Despite my smaller frame and reduced physical strength as a woman, my heightened senses compensated for any disadvantages.
The interior of the guild, which had been scarcely populated to begin with, was now littered with the icy, lifeless bodies of members who fell easily to surprise strikes.
Truthfully, the members were skilled in stealth but no match for the elite martial prowess I possessed.
The bodies of both the old mage and the guild master confirmed the severity of the situation.
Given our clandestine nature as an assassination guild, no meaningful bonds existed among the members. However, the loss of these two weighed on me differently.
Silently, I moved toward the guild master’s quarters.
The guard outside seemed unaware of my presence as I stealthily entered.
Inside, the guild master’s body was still sprawled across the floor, untouched and cold.
The guild, already secretive and exclusive, had been annihilated today with all members dead or gone.
The only survivor, I was under no obligation to carry on the guild’s legacy. Instead, I welcomed this accidental freedom.
Still, I couldn’t walk away completely. I needed to confirm something. I reached into the guild master’s robes, searching, but the item was nowhere to be found.
The scroll of allegiance, bearing the marks of subservience for all guild members.
While this existed, my freedom was incomplete. The scroll forced compliance with its possessor, a safeguard against betrayal and vengeance.
There was no chance the guild master left it behind today; one of the attackers must have taken it. I could only hope I never crossed paths with whoever held it.
Next, I moved to where the old mage had last resided.
Here, the famed TS mage, Sem Mogura, lay lifeless on his bed, unaware of the intrusion until it was too late.
-I had explained my magic properly to you, Number 3. The transformation is permanent unless undone with the magic again.
Now, this transformation was irreversible unless the mage could perform the magic again.
“Damn it.”
I checked his vitals instinctively, but he was clearly gone.
What about my original body? How could I return?
There could be no retreat now. Any disappearance following a near assassination attempt on the daughter of a marquis would look too suspicious, effectively a confession of guilt.
Even if I could expose and escape as a man, it wouldn’t solve anything given my current situation.
What is freedom anymore?
Glancing at the mirror, I saw not the man I had known for 16 years but a complete stranger—a silver-haired young woman.
The assassin known as “Number 3” of the once exclusive and secretive guild of assassins was no more.
Hello, I’m baby Elysia.
Little El is growing up. She needs protection.
