VoC: B1 — 9. Privilege and Prejudice

Veil Of Chaos Index

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PoV: 

1. Damon (Our Dhampir MC!)

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The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Bluerise as Damon stepped out of the Royal Judgment Hall. The weight of thirty Imperium steel pieces jingled softly in the leather pouch in the small sack over his shoulder.

For the first time in his ten years of life in this world, he saw the capital city with truly adult eyes—and what he saw made his stomach clench.

Glass-like slates embedded into the walls showed current laws passed that month, designed by reincarnates he’d learned about growing up. They displayed the recent criminals in the city and throughout the kingdom, updated and spread to each town and city weekly, since the technology was only attached to a local grid.

It was in decline after the lawful-good reincarnate disappeared in the Vanishing, but his influence was everywhere. He vaguely recalled several other unique additions that reincarnates brought from their own worlds or implemented, one of which was the standard currency most nearby nations used.

It wasn’t just that, though. The grand architecture that had once filled him with childlike wonder now revealed itself for what it truly was: a monument to rigid order and divine authority. 

Every building seemed designed to remind citizens of their place in the hierarchy, from the towering spires of the Holy Emperor’s cathedral to the precisely maintained gardens where even the flowers grew in regulated patterns.

Aria’s earlier idea about hitting the Adventurer’s Guild seemed like the most logical choice.

They needed money.

A lot of money.

He wasn’t totally sure how much they’d need or how far thirty Imperium steel would get them. Growing up, much of his finances was handled for him as a prince. His training on that would have come with practical application.

Early law understanding was more important in a lawful kingdom.

However, earning money was just one of many issues he needed to balance. His main goal was learning Sophia’s whereabouts; that bit of critical importance would come from Sorrel Nightbloom, being the High Cleric of Titania.

Unfortunately, he had no clue where to find her. The same problem came with the Adventurer’s Guild.

He needed something to bond to in order to qualify, most likely, as well.

He was a Sage Tamer, after all.

There was a problem, though…

It was the people who changed his priorities.

A mother yanked her child closer as they passed, whispering something that made the boy’s eyes widen with fear. Two merchants stopped their conversation mid-sentence to glare at him with undisguised hatred. A group of city guards turned to track his movement, hands resting on sword hilts.

The casual cruelty of it hit harder than he’d expected.

Hot wind billowed into his face as he surveyed the clear shift in atmosphere the moment he stepped onto the street: the creases in their noses, the upturned lips in disgust, and something he hadn’t expected to see…betrayal.

They…really hate me. They hate Mom for hiding me and making them care about a dark elf as their young prince, he privately thought to himself. We’re not going to get much help. No, worse than that with my face…

He moved to one of the nearby slates, seeing his adult face shown; they’d obviously updated that pretty quickly. For several seconds, he stared; beneath the metamorphosis was the body of a ten-year-old, yet he barely connected with that body, having mentally jumped from his car to this strange place. Still, it was surreal, seeing a face totally unlike the one he had back in New York City.

Below his alien features was the ruling set out by his grandfather, and he knew it wouldn’t just be locally posted, either. Given a week, the rest of the surrounding cities would know about his sentence, and a month, the whole kingdom.

“Well, this is cheerful,” Aria’s voice chimed in his mind, and he gratefully focused on her familiar presence, turning away from the image. “I’m getting secondhand anxiety just from your silence. Our aunt sucks for turning Mom in… The Spider screwed us by deactivating your bracelet, though… Hey, c’mon! Man, how are you staying so calm, just looking at your mugshot?”

I’m not sure I am, he admitted, the [Strong Spirit] Passive he’d seen in his status sheet no doubt helping him push back against the rising panic. I’m guessing these Feats really do help, but it feels like trying to hold back a tide with a bucket… This is harder than I thought it would be. An entire nation wishes I were dead, Aria. 

“Sorry… It must be hard. I’m not trying to brush it off… Though I have to admit, all those high-tier Feats Titania recommended to you were genius, because, let’s face it, you’re hopeless when it comes to isekai logic.”

Fair game, he internally chuckled, knowing she was trying her best to get his mind off things in her own unique way. He moved along the sidewalks and tried not to feel self-conscious about people swapping sides or the scowls. Moving on to necessities… Unlike you, I need to eat, Deadass. And I need to test how accepting the citizens will be.

“Well screw you, too! And I heard that pun. Boo! Low blow, loser! And here I was trying to be nice,” she huffed, necklace around his throat heating up a tad and making him smile. “Everything tastes like ash to me. You heard what Mom and I did… She tried so hard.”

I know. We’ll figure it out, Aria. Promise. Have I ever broken a promise to you?

“Only when you want to punk me and scare me on Halloween… Christmas presents, uh, playing D&D with me, but no, you’re too busy. That time about getting a cat.”

Hey! Okay, okay, sure. But the cat was an ongoing promise. It’s not my fault I learned our apartment didn’t allow it, he shot back while turning the corner and wandering while trying to figure out where he’d find a pet or slave establishment, as uncomfortable as that feeling was. Our lease was up in two months; that’s when I was planning on surprising you.

“Aww. You were going to move us to a place for cats just for me?!”

Well, that, and it was closer to work. Also, I have no idea what the exchange rates are in this economy. What does thirty Imperium steel get us? I know some ‘trade god’ reincarnate ended up founding the currency, but…other than that, I’m clueless. Everything just got…shipped to us.

“Win-win! Oh, and that’s just the princess treatment. Mom just made a list, and it came out of our monthly allowance. Yup! Royalty here gets allowances…that we’re now barred from, which sucks. But I actually helped Mom do a few of them because, you know, my knowledge came back sooner than yours because I’m so smart.”

Uh, more like a billion Feats and Passives I gave you that jumped your Intelligence Stat to…what was it? 25?

“Pfft! Rookie numbers, Bro. I’m 32! Considered a true genius, if I can be so humble.”

Exactly. So… Help me out, Ms. Shego.

“Can’t, my nails are literally more important right now.”

What?

“Nothing! You wouldn’t get it, normie. Uh, right, you wouldn’t remember the money stuff since you were more into helping out the maids do chores around the house or wrestling with Uncle Stephen.

“Okay, quick lesson—iron pieces are the base currency. Steel is worth a hundred iron. Copper is a hundred steel. Silver is a hundred copper, and so on up the chain to money we’ll never have. A basic loaf of bread costs about two iron pieces, so one steel piece could buy fifty loaves. We’re not wealthy, but you won’t starve either. And, on the bright side, if we’re low, you can just nibble on some unsuspecting lady’s neck for a little juice.”

And…there’s that dark humor.

“Am I wrong?! Hey, she may actually like it. Women are crazy—me included—loser. I can’t believe you put up with me. You have no idea.”

Correction, ‘some’ women are crazy. Don’t sell yourself short, Hell Queen. Don’t sell yourself short, you’ve got your good qualities—washing dishes not being one of them.

“Dude, misogynistic much!? Might as well tell me to get in the kitchen. Heh. Get it, Hell’s Kitchen?”

Damon rolled his eyes at her internal snicker, as if she just told the best joke in existence.

You’d love to be a stay-at-home wife, eating chips on the couch all day and getting drones to do the mowing and vacuuming.

“Not the point! I mean, that’s just efficient.”

And we need to get moving before the nobles can get in contact with their assassins, like you were saying.

Damon shook his head and spotted a food vendor as his sister snorted in a way that said: ‘you’re so innocent about women.’ It wasn’t like he hadn’t had a long-term relationship—and all the antics that came with it—but he let Aria think she was smart.

He approached carefully, noting how the man’s friendly expression died the moment he looked up. “How much for a meat pie?”

“The false prince… Nine iron,” the vendor said stiffly, his hand moving toward a charm bracelet. “Imperium coins only.”

That seems expensive from what you said, Aria, Damon noted.

“It is! He’s totally scamming us! And that snide comment. He wouldn’t say that if I set his shoes on fire.”

Chill. It’s fine.

He handed over a steel piece anyway. “That’s eighty iron back, right?

“Bro! Were you listening at all? No! It’s ninety-one. Geez.”

Damon ignored her frustration, offering a sincere smile at him. “Oh, and do you know where the Adventurer’s Guild or Titania’s shrine are?”

The man’s brow lifted slightly at his comment, his mouth conflicted. “No…ninety-one, and ask someone else for directions,” he stated, moving to a drawer on the stall to extract the money. “If you want directions, ask a guard.”

Helpful… Really helpful.

“ I mean, did you expect anything less?”

“Is that right? Well, keep the extra anyway. Thanks for informing me,” he returned, swallowing his pride. “It’s nice knowing you’re so principled. It reflects on the Holy Emperor’s goodness.”

“Humph…”

He paused, glancing back at him, the unexpected generosity clearly confusing the man, but he wrapped the pie with slightly less hostility, using what appeared to be some form of paper that didn’t require utensils to bite into, before returning him eighty iron pieces without another word.

“Ohhh!” Aria snickered, sounding smug. “Nice play. Social engineering. I see you. And seriously—how hard would it have been to just point us in a direction. Loser.

“Also, you realize that one pie just costs us the equivalent of ten loaves of bread, right? The normal price would be three or four iron pieces, but he charged you nine—that’s a markup of three times. If everything’s priced like this, we’ll burn through our money fast.”

Don’t worry, I’ve got a plan. Your guild option is good. I’ll check it out. I’m a bit skeptical, though, after testing the waters there. I’ll figure it out, he stated, taking the item and nodding at the man.

And a small act of kindness like this can change someone’s life and opinion over time. This one story could spread to a hundred in a month. You plant seeds when the problem’s systemic—you don’t break down doors with fireballs.

“Fireballs feel better…”

That, I won’t disagree with, he chuckled.

In a nation of law, there had to be some protections against discrimination. He vaguely recalled some instruction on that from Stephen, but much of those lessons were more instinctual than pure knowledge.

Hopefully, the guilds would be more open-minded…and he didn’t get himself killed figuring things out. The truth was, if they were going to survive, they needed a lot of funds for bribes. Their Uncle Stephen’s stunt of allowing them to see their mother proved that.

They found a quiet alley between shops, and Damon removed the amulet, having already shared his [Humanoid Transformation] Feat. He turned his back and set down the sack for her as Aria manifested, listening to the rustle of fabric as she changed into the dress their mother had provided.

“Okay, you can look now.”

Damon turned to see his sister transformed—golden sun elf skin that seemed to glow with inner light, crimson hair that caught the morning sun, and ethereal-blue eyes that radiated intelligence and confidence. Even barefoot and in a simple dress, she looked noble, hand on her hip, inviting praise with her upturned head.

“Right, time to show these people how to treat customers properly,” Aria declared out of the blue, marching toward the alley entrance with determination. “Let me show you how it’s done.”

“Aria, wait—”

But she was already approaching the same vendor who’d tried to overcharge Damon. He moved to the edge of the alley, hovering behind it and peering after his sister, sharp ears catching the conversation.

The man’s entire demeanor shifted the second he saw her—his back straightened, his hostile expression melted into something approaching reverence, and he actually bowed slightly.

“Oh, my lady! You are—uh, how…unexpected. I didn’t know a sun elf diplomat was in the city. How may I serve you?”

Aria put on her most innocent expression, perfect teeth flashing and clasping her hands behind her back, swaying ever-so-slightly. “Oh, hello! I was wondering…could I get two of your meat pies? They smell absolutely divine!” She gestured vaguely toward the adjacent street. “My servant smelled it on our path through the city and I had to get one myself.”

Servant? Damon dully huffed. We’ll see who sleeps on the bedside table tonight, Ms. Lady Elf.

The vendor’s eyes went wide. It seemed that sun elves were practically mythical in these parts. “Of course, my lady! For you, let’s say…two iron pieces for both. Family discount. And…may I ask what happened to your shoes? Not that I want to offend! I am unfamiliar with sun elf customs.”

Two irons in total instead of nine, Damon noted with grudging admiration as Aria handed over the coins with a brilliant smile.

“You needn’t be shy at all. I am happy to help educate those less privileged to know about the majesty of my race. As for my shoes, there was an…unfortunate event that caused me to lose them somewhere along my way here. I will need to correct that mistake soon, but I appreciate your concern for my well-being. However, this divine scent took precedence. Here you are…”

The vendor practically glowed with pride as he swiftly shook his head and held up his hands. “Oh, no need for that, my lady! It is my pleasure to serve you and your servant.”

“You’re so kind! My father, back in the Sun Isles, always said sun elves receive the best treatment in Tenebrin, and you’ve proven him absolutely correct! I’ll have to tell him all about you when I make my return from my pilgrimage. Maybe we’ll stop by together when next I am in your lovely city.”

Geez. Laying it on thick, aren’t you? Damon snorted, pressing a bit closer against the alley wall as a couple moved in to get a better look at Aria; she was drawing a crowd, but most of them were keeping a respectful distance. Time to wrap it up.

The man wrapped the pies, not in disposable paper, but fine cloth he pulled from another drawer. “Please, give your father my regards. It’s an honor to serve your family. By the way, you’re incredibly articulate for someone who looks to be in their late teens. I’ve always been curious, do sun elves grow like wood elves? Physically mature until twenty-five and then stop aging, or do they age slower?”

Aria’s expression shifted instantly—her blue eyes literally flashed with indignation, and she drew herself up to her full height, which wasn’t particularly impressive since she wasn’t all that tall, but somehow managed to look regal anyway.

“Sun elves are nothing like wood elves!” she declared, her voice carrying an edge that made the merchant immediately regret the comparison. “How dare you even suggest such a thing!”

“I—sorry, my lady, I didn’t mean to—”

“Wood elves are primitive forest dwellers who commune with trees and animals like barbarians,” Aria continued, Damon hissing and looking around to see her drawing even more attention from the public, now with shell-shocked expressions.

Aria! He shouted through their connection, but an error message made it clear she was too far away to hear, so he slipped out of the alley to hide behind nearby crates as she took complete control of the stage.

A quick check of her Feats from the status menu made him realize the cause: [Sun Elf Pride]. It was smack dab inside the [Vulnerabilities & Curses] tab, with three others. F-tier [Salt Vulnerability] and C-tier [Lich’s Heart] were curbed by two counter Feats in the [Resistance & Immunity] Tab, but B-tier [Radiant Vulnerability] and her pride Feat were in full effect.

“Sun elves are the pinnacle of civilization and magical advancement! We founded the first arcane universities, created the theoretical frameworks for advanced [Black Magic] spellcasting, and established the diplomatic, lawful protocols that most kingdoms—including this one—use today!”

Damon blinked, wondering where all this information was coming from. Aria, shut up!

“What?!”

Aria’s burning eyes darted to him, fury redirected as she stormed off, leaving the merchant in a daze with the onlookers. Damon knew he was about to catch some heat from the crease in her small nose, so he retreated back into the alley, going deeper in.

“Why are you yelling and telling me to shut up?! He’s just wrong! That is so insulting!”

I don’t care. You’re drawing a crowd. How do you even know all of that info? he asked, trying to redirect her as she marched straight to him to look up with genuine anger, still holding the pies.

“Pfft. Obviously, because it’s basic sun elf history!” Aria huffed, as if this should be obvious. “We mature intellectually at an accelerated rate compared to other races—our minds develop magical comprehension and linguistic abilities far beyond what wood elves could ever achieve. By the time a sun elf reaches physical maturity at twenty-five, we’ve already mastered disciplines that would take other races centuries to understand, much less cultural maturity at age one hundred!”

She was clearly just getting started, her eyes bright with passionate conviction.

“Wood elves live in trees and hunt with bows like common rangers. Sun elves built floating cities powered by concentrated sunlight and developed teleportation networks that spanned continents! Wood elves worship nature spirits. Sun elves shaped the very foundations of modern magical theory! There is absolutely no comparison!”

Aria, this is the [Sun Elf Pride] Feat. Relax. Geez, Damon whispered, fascinated despite himself. This wasn’t just pride—Aria seemed to have access to detailed historical and cultural knowledge that hadn’t been part of their childhood education or Titania’s system discussions. Is this what a cultural Feat does? 

She blinked, as if popping out of a trance, her cheeks coloring a cute shade of light pink that complemented her golden skin.

“Sorry, but yes,” she stated, switching to a smug tone. “Maybe I got a little out of hand, but again, am I wrong? It doesn’t just make me confident—it gives me instinctive knowledge of sun elf achievements and superiority. Pretty useful, right?”

“That’s…actually terrifying,” Damon admitted, noting her typical strategy of redirecting and minimizing her actions. “A Feat that programs racial supremacy directly into your brain? C’mon, you have to admit, that’s a bit much. How did that happen, exactly?”

Aria’s expression faltered slightly. “Well, it’s not ‘exactly’ supremacy if it’s just facts,” she mumbled, though she sounded somewhat less confident than before. “Umm, it’s something…I think one of the sun elf founders did to…our bloodline? That one’s a bit more blurry.”

If you keep acting like that, you’re going to attract attention and be labeled a historical diva, he observed. You need to go back and apologize. Say…your dad made you do it, and try to look sincere.

“Well, at least I don’t have prisoner rags,” Aria shot back, her shoulders drooping. “No, I know I overreacted. It’s just…that really got under my skin. It’s not all the Feat either. It’s…really reductive. It makes me feel like, I don’t know, a human being compared to a gorilla, like, someone calling you a literal monkey.”

That…is really racist, Sis. You played a wood elf a few times, as I remember.

“Well, okay, you’ve got me,” she admitted with a groan, fiddling with her hair and looking away. “Maybe it is the Feat’s fault, but look, I know you want to protect me, but I can handle myself, too. My Intelligence is higher than most adult mages, and I’ve got access to magical schools they’ve never even heard of.”

Aria, he stated with a penetrating stare that made her shrink more. What am I going to say?

“…I’m deflecting. Fine. Fine… Women-up and don’t be a spoiled brat.”

Squaring her shoulders, she marched back to the merchant, Damon hovering nearby and listening as his sister made her apology. Her eyes were downcast, but her tone was sincere, which the man ate up like ice cream. He even downplayed her outburst and praised her ‘maturity,’ which made Damon roll his eyes. It was a salve to her wounded pride, though.

Once everything was smoothed over, Aria waved and skipped back to the alley, looking absolutely pleased with herself as she nudged her head for him to follow her further in, crimson hair swaying. “And that,” she said, handing Damon another two free pies for a total of five, counting his, “is how you handle bigoted merchants. Didn’t even have to pay. Sun elf privilege for the win again!”

And the rich get richer… We really need to get a handle on this. I reviewed a few of your Feats, like [Lich’s Touch], that could accidentally kill someone if they grab you wrong and you panic.

“But…I don’t even have the mana to activate it yet—sorta,” she complained, following him deeper into the shockingly clean alley; it was filled with supplies, proving there was a very low crime rate in this city.

“Besides, this isn’t Earth—anyone who tries to mess with a sun elf is asking for trouble. We’re practically revered here. It’s why I’m an A-tier race. Yours is B-tier, by the way, and look at what reaction you get.”

There it was—that [Sun Elf Pride] showing through again. Damon could see it in how she straightened her shoulders, the subtle lift to her chin.

“So it’s not my fault! So, don’t get mad at me… Blame the system.”

I know. I know. That doesn’t mean you are stripped of agency, though. Just…be careful, edgelord, Okay? Yes, you’re A-tier revered, and I’m B-tier hated.

“It’s Ms. Edgelady to you—okay, that sounded better in my head.”

We are in our heads and it didn’t sound any better…

“Whatever.”

Look, we need to adapt but not forget our roots, he whispered, voice softening as he pulled her in to wrap his arms around her. You know, I love you and will never abandon you. Believe me. I’ll always be here to protect you.

A sniffle followed, her body shaking slightly, which was very ‘un-lich-like’ but totally his emotional little sister. He knew she was going through internal turmoil, mostly about their mother since she’d blotted out almost all of her memories of their Earth parents after their car accident—she was ten, and their whole lives changed in that moment.

“…Even from myself… What if I turn into an evil lich? Would you still come save me?”

He smiled, tightening her grip and recalling all the times they’d lie awake at night, playing the ‘what if’ game. At one time, she asked if she was a goldfish, if he’d forget to feed her and flush her dead body down the toilet—his little sister was weird. And he loved her more than life itself.

That premise asserts that I let you get to that point in the first place. Does that sound like me?

“Haha. No… You’d flick my forehead, tell me I’m grounded, and take away my legendary staff.”

Maybe. I like to keep you guessing, he said with silent laughter. Maybe it’d be your favorite witch’s hat.

“You truly are evil!”

You know it. Now, find us an inn, and do some research at the library. Geography, local politics, anything that might help us plan our next moves, Ms. Brain. I’ll get our newest companion to surprise you with… You’ll finally get a pet!

Aria squeezed hard and then gently pulled away, wiping at her eyes before giving him a critical stare. “Okay. Deal, as long as he’s cuddly, cute, and I can hug him at night. Something big, okay? Really big! But before that, I need to get you a standard adventuring cloak to hide in. Your [Stealth] Feat can help. Gotta love vampire perks!”

Fair. I’ll just wait here for you, then. And don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to ‘hint’ at. I’m not bringing home a handsome beast guy slave for you to mold into your perfect husbando, evil lich queen.

“Booo! Let a girl’s fantasies live in a fantasy world!”

They already do, in that fantasy mind of yours! What would Soph think if she knew how much of a gremlin you are?

“Oh, go die!” she huffed with a smile and playful jab before snatching some coins from the bag and jogging back into the market area. “And for the record, I think she already knew, Bro. And we’ll find her!”

I know…

He leaned against the side of the building as silence overtook his mind, and he closed his eyes, letting the weight of everything decompress. For the first time since awakening in this world, he was truly alone. In his mind, he could still see her smiling face, lying next to him in bed, just staring at him as he woke up that morning—well, actually, it had been more than ten years since that morning.

Sophia, could I really not do better than this? I’m…sorry. I’ll find you, wherever you are. Just wait for me… Titania, I know you’re listening. Please, help me bring my family back together. Help me not break down… There’s too much at stake. They need me.

It didn’t take as long as he thought for her to come back with a well-made blue cloak that would fit him. Not only that, but she returned complete with a pretty blue hair ribbon, fancy new travel shoes, and a bracelet that seemed to match decently—sun elf privilege.

Her smile was dazzling as she did a spin, holding out a much nicer bag. “And it only cost me twenty steel in total. Already got us a room at The Silver Chalice, too. And this is for you—can’t have you wandering around looking like an escaped convict. There are more clothes in there, too! I had to guess your size.”

Damon accepted the cloak gratefully, noting the quality. Let me guess, a lot of flattery and cute fidgets?

“Someone must have forgotten that they were the ones who taught me to use every advantage I had when meeting with school administrators,” she returned with a wink. “I learned from the best! Appearances and flattery will get you far.”

I can’t argue with that, he chuckled, accepting the items and bag she offered him. He took out a whole steel piece, placing it in her hands. That’s for whatever you want, Ms. Edgelady. I’m sure you’ll double it by dinner and still have your arms filled with shopping items. I’ll meet you back at the inn for dinner—Silver Chalice?

“Mhm! And not double… I’ll triple it! Bet.”

Bet, he accepted with a grin.

“I get to pick out—”

No, gutter brain. 

“You’re no fun! Fine. Uh… You have to pick me out a gift,” she said with a smile.

Heart softening, Damon couldn’t help but smile at her adorable grin. Bet.

“Well? What if I lose?” she asked, nudging him.

He simply shook his head. Doesn’t matter. I know when I’ve already lost.

“Aww. You have faith in me! I won’t let you down. We’ll need every iron! See you soon! Oh, and,” she swooped in to kiss him on the cheek and darted back, hair bouncing, “thank you for believing in me.”

When your head is on straight? Always.

As Damon fastened the cloak and pulled up the hood, Aria started walking toward the alley’s entrance.

“Hey, Damon?” she whispered aloud, her levity falling.

“Hmm?”

“…Try not to get yourself killed while I’m gone. I’d hate to explain to Mom that I lost you on our first day of freedom. And…there’s that law.”

“Hey, not even the high nobility are well-versed on that old law. You know me…and I know you. So, right back at you. Control yourself! This isn’t Earth. It’s not New York.”

She flashed him a brilliant smile and stepped out onto the main street, not giving him an answer—her way of making him worry about her.

But…his heart had a different reaction with every step she took.

The bond stretched.

Thinned.

Keep calm.

She’ll be fine.

…Please, be fine.

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[ Next POV: Aria ]

[ Theme: Our teenage Lich finally has her first taste of freedom.

Will it be as sweet as she imagined? ]

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