9 - Positioning

In typical RPG games, there are three positions: tank, DPS, and healer. But in Reincarnated Hero, they're divided into vanguard, midguard, and rearguard. Assigning roles based on these lines is called positioning, and it was the very start of Chapter 1 in Reincarnated Academy.

"First, shall we all take a look at this?"

With Instructor Sylvester's curt remark, a massive projection began playing on the wall ahead via a magic projector.

Soon, black silhouettes appeared.

-Kieeeek!

-Kurrr... rur...

Twisted demons. Reading about them in text hadn't hit hard, and even in the game, I hadn't seen them up close. But staring at these monsters' faces in person? Their grotesqueness was straight-up shocking.

-Ugh...

-What the hell is that...

I wasn't the only one thinking it—the cadets in provisional Class C were grimacing too.

Sylvester, unfazed, began speaking slowly.

"Even now, demon forces are advancing. The Empire blocks them, defends mana stone outposts, and purifies corrupted holy sites by awakening humans known as Successors."

One video clip, and the mood had shifted. They must've sensed this wasn't just some youthful academy rom-com. Tension rippled through ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the room.

"Right ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now, your seniors are fighting desperately on the front lines. Remember that your training here, your academy life—it's all built on someone else's sacrifices."

"Sorry to hit you with this from the jump, but regrettably, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with your current skills? Forget holy site purges or dungeon clears—you couldn't even take down the weakest monster. In a word, you're useless in combat."

No one argued with Sylvester's blunt follow-up. After just two months of basic training, we were green as hell; our combat prowess was obviously zilch.

"So, do you know what you need most right now?"

He probably wasn't fishing for an answer, but someone raised their hand.

"You there, cadet?"

"Real combat sense—the Academy's motto."

Pink-haired top cadet, Melissa Prominence.

"...Exactly."

Yeah, the author's pet protagonist had that aura. Speaking up in dead silence like this? Not your average scrub.

"The only reason you're here at this Academy is your innate potential. Nothing else matters. We'll throw trial after trial at you cadets. You'll awaken your abilities in real combat training, as fast as possible."

Sylvester's voice grew louder.

"Some will quit, get expelled, face scorn—it's a brutal path. So if you're out, raise your hand and leave now. I recommend it."

He gracefully gestured to the door.

...Thirty seconds of silence passed. No one budged.

Obviously. Game hadn't even started—how could anyone bail blind? I had no choice either. If scare tactics shook me, I'd have ragequit ages ago.

"Good... No dropouts this batch. I'd love to throw you into combat to test your resolve right now, but... first things first."

Here we go.

"We're starting positioning now. When called, pick your line and main weapon. And lastly— you've heard it a million times, but it's key, so Sub-Instructor Bella will explain."

Sylvester stepped back, and a woman who looked like the sub-instructor stepped forward.

"The vanguard leads the party. You need stamina management, conviction to face monsters head-on and endure black mana exposure. Holy power to bolster faith makes you ideal."

Obvious stuff—I'd played the game to death.

Vanguard? Pass. Just looking at those monsters killed my vibe.

"Next, those versed in elements, spirits, summons, enchantments—spellcasting types—or healers with holy power go midguard for protection from attacks. Mana measurement's crucial here; we'll test after assignment."

Hmm... 'Quasi-Mage Wannabe' Lev probably eyed midguard. Pointless speculation anyway.

"Finally, for no-spell ranged attacks, backup melee for ambushes, intel gathering, or anyone unfit for front or mid? Rearguard's recommended."

Bella wrapped up. Simple as hell. Reincarnated Hero was a straightforward game.

But simple meant hard. Built for hardcore players. I'd grinded it to boredom, memorized most guides, so I could solo it with time. But no saves here—this was live action. Direct control via possession.

Plus, no early-game rampage even for protag chars. Synergy with allies was key for growth. Multiple jobs per line led to hundreds of combos—controlling all variables? Tough.

"Chosen positions are locked for a while, so choose wisely. Now, the roster..."

-Scrape!

Before he finished, I shot up.

"Lev Denek, calling dibs first."

I'd planned this ages ago. Time to test it.

My bold move drew stares—whispers erupted.

I ignored them. Hell, I liked it. There was a reason I was playing the fool.

This Successor Ability: Hermit... No status window in this mess meant it wasn't about literally going full loner or dropping presence. Successor powers were divine revelations against demons—not some loser curse.

It had a real use. I stood before Instructor Sylvester, grinning satisfied.

That squinting gaze, like it pierced everything through slitted eyes... Total MacGuffin, really.

"I've decided."

"Hm... Quick choice."

"Shall I pick?"

"Thought it through?"

"Yeah, whatever."

I felt ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the sub-instructor eyeing me too. Makes sense—this Academy bred monster-slayers. Ex-military types everywhere; they hated flakes.

I cut ahead.

"First, line... Rearguard."

"Rearguard, huh..."

Sylvester frowned, like he wanted reasons. He pulled a palm-sized notepad, scanning it.

"I know you have innate mana and magic potential. Mind sharing your intent?"

"That's..."

No way I'm saying vanguard means bathing in monster gore, or midguard's just flashlight spells sucking team blood.

I smirked.

"'Cause I'll be good at it."

"...You'll be good at it?"

"Yep."

No lie. Midguard mage? My scrub mana'd get exposed. Vanguard? Talentless zone. Process of elimination: rearguard.

Game-original too—rearguard was the trash-clearer spot. And I had ways to use my skills there now.

"..."

Sub-Instructor Bella still looked sour. She knew my family, probably seen cases like mine. Worried I'd flop.

Sylvester nodded.

"Fine. Aux magic weapons are over there... Good luck."

Rearguard mana-heavy meant pre-cast enchants. He figured body-buff aux spells.

I just stared, ignoring it.

"...?"

"..."

He tilted his head.

"More to say?"

"Thinking archer."

"...!"

'This is secretly sweet...'

Sylvester's face twitched.

Air chilled fast at "archer."

"Once chosen, no changes for a while. Still set on archer?"

"Yes. Dead serious."

One Reincarnated Hero nitpick: archer reactions weren't 'cause it's a basic job.

Worldview-wise, archers were traditional, essential, everywhere.

But not here. Basic archery training? Mandatory. Aux weapon? Often bows.

Main weapon? That's your discipline. Joins you with same-weapon rivals. Bows, like magic, ran on bloodlines/races—no mage houses picked it.

In-game, chars had fixed builds via traits/families. Ignore it? Like turning healer Aria assassin—hell mode.

They let me in for mana potential; switching embarrassed the Academy.

He stared, then thrust his arm right.

"...Fine. Good. Pick your weapon there."

As I stepped off:

"If it's what you're good at... Prove it with results for credibility."

Sylvester's gaze chased me to the end.