Chapter 1 - Wait, I... (1)
Chapter 1 - Wait, I... (1)
Chapter 1 - No, I... (1)
Garbage controls, irregular events that pop up like crazy through RNG, and a difficulty level that basically says 'die if you don't know'.
Above all, the unit gacha, which is called pure luck itself.
Combining all of that, <Ultimate Field> is a trash game where even now, the number of people who have cleared the highest difficulty, Hardcore, can be counted on one hand.
The worst mistake of my life was being obsessed with that damn game.
"Young Master, the Marquis is looking for you."
"I'll go now."
A quiet library.
Old butler Andrio came to find me while I was reading, bowed politely, and informed me of my father's summons.
As soon as I heard that, I closed my book and stood up.
It's already been a month since I died with my face planted on my desk after coming home from work and playing games.
I've gotten somewhat used to my sudden, unannounced death and this unexpected life I gained afterward.
'It is what it is.'
Of course, I haven't fully adjusted yet, but the confusion didn't last very long.
In my past life, I was a complete orphan with no family.
All I had was a cold, one-room apartment where no one welcomed me even after I got off work.
In contrast, this second life, which I woke up to in the body of a young boy who was fated to die from a fever, was very different.
The Leberk family, a prestigious and time-honored noble family of the Luena Empire. A massive estate and a luxurious castle.
A world where 'family' exists, including a strict father and a benevolent mother.
Since their real son seemed to have already passed away before I arrived, I felt a bit of a guilty conscience, but... is there any reason for me not to take over this poor body?
Above all, I didn't have any other choice anyway.
"Why did Father call for me?"
"Well. If my prediction is correct, I believe it's regarding your enrollment in the Academy."
I followed behind Andrio and tried to guess the reason for Marquis Leberk's summons.
The Academy... according to the memories I inherited and what I've learned so far, it was clearly this world's higher education institution.
A place for things hard to learn through private tutoring alone, and above all, a place for social life to build connections to use once a noble child goes out into the world.
'Right. A person has to learn.'
Studying, or rather grades, was the only weapon I had in my past life.
It was the only hope I had that even if I was at the very bottom with nothing, I could climb up.
"Young Master, what would you like to do in the future? It would be good to think about it in advance."
"Well."
Andrio looked back at me with his usual benevolent smile.
I also smiled and scratched my head.
In my past life, it was a 'do it or die' situation, but honestly, it's not like that now.
My brother is the one doing the intense heir training.
According to the memories I inherited, I only have memories of being the youngest, receiving luxurious treatment and being doted on.
According to my one-month adjustment period, it doesn't seem like this body has any particularly outstanding talent, but well, that's something I don't know yet.
'Whatever I do, I want a job where I can comfortably slack off and eat. Since high-level academies will be crawling with high-ranking people, maybe I should look into real estate with the information I get there.'
There must have been many people more diligent than me, but maybe because I died after working overtime even on weekends, I had a significant aversion to work right now.
I didn't bother saying it out loud.
I didn't want to be branded as an unambitious loafer from the start.
"Leon, this is a message for you."
"This is..."
"It's a draft notice from Eisenblut, the frontline military academy in the Western 1st Border Zone."
However, what I heard in Marquis Leberk's office was enough to blow my mind away in an instant.
"Ah, Eisenblut? That's ridiculous. For the Young Master to go to a place like that!"
Instead of me, who had literally frozen up, Andrio reacted first.
At Andrio's disbelieving reaction, Marquis Leberk also held his head in his hands with a pained expression, unlike his usual self.
"I can't understand it either, Andrio. But this notice is an undeniable fact, stamped with the Imperial seal. How on earth did this happen! It was clearly determined a few years ago that Leon had no exceptional talent..."
A few years ago. I knew what he meant.
In the memories I inherited, I remember a group of mages summoned by my father coming to do something to this body.
Talent. Right, did they say they were checking for talent?
The face of Marquis Leberk, disappointed by their words that there was no particular talent, remains blurry in my memories.
"Eisenblut... by any chance, is it the one I know..."
I managed to open my mouth while Marquis Leberk and Andrio were having a serious conversation.
The reason I was shocked, unlike the two of them, was only one.
Because the name Eisenblut was very familiar.
"Please! Please!"
There is something you must do when playing <Ultimate Field>. It is selecting the core units that will be your main force.
And I, who had been challenging Hardcore mode with hundreds of tries all year round, prayed with both hands clasped in front of my desk every time.
Begging to be able to 'pull' units with good traits.
Military Academy, Technology Bureau, Exchange Bureau, Alchemy Association, etc.
As the player raises their tech, they can recruit units from various facilities.
The Eisenblut Military Academy was usually where you recruited main combat units.
Whether there was a unit with good traits or not. That was all I cared about, and that was all I knew.
"Did you see it in a book? Eisenblut is the Empire's best military academy that trains talent to fight against the hordes of the Demon World swarming from the Corrupted Land beyond the Western border."
'Holy shit...'
However, through Marquis Leberk's continuing words, the absurd nonsense was gradually becoming reality.
In the setting, the Player is the guardian deity of the 'Empire'.
A setting where the Player gives oracles to control units and fight against the erosion of the Demon World.
But to think that Empire, which I didn't know what it was because it was just called 'the Empire' in the game, was actually the Luena Empire I'm in?
"It is a place that carries out a noble and sublime mission. It is just as dangerous, and only the talent handpicked from across the country receives a draft notice. But for that notice to fly to you, and not the eldest son Rion, there is clearly something wrong."
Marquis Leberk shook his head firmly.
Unlike his usual strict demeanor toward his sons, he looked very worried.
"No. I don't think the notice is wrong."
But I swallowed a sigh and shook my head.
If this world where I'm living my second life is truly <Ultimate Field>. And if that world is determined to drag me to Eisenblut and turn me into a unit.
Because I thought I knew the reason.
"Ah, seriously, if it weren't for these trash characters, I would have cleared it 10 more times!!!!!!!!!"
Words I habitually spat out whenever I was wiped out and defeated.
Words blaming the weak character traits and luck, not my control and strategy.
It was clear that the karma had returned.
Saying that if I was going to blame them like that, I should try doing it myself.
"If you refuse the notice, the Imperial Guard will come storming in. So, pack your things for now. You'd have to go there in person anyway if you wanted to argue that something is wrong."
"Ah..."
As I accepted it more calmly than expected, Marquis Leberk ordered me to prepare to depart.
Andrio sighed as if it were a pity, but there was nothing he could do.
'Let's think calmly.'
Immediately after returning to my room.
I lay sprawled on the bed and racked my brain desperately.
Just because I go to the military academy doesn't mean everyone gets selected as a unit.
Units are, after all, something the Player picks from among various candidates. Those with the best traits and potential.
I just need to not get picked.
It goes without saying, but the units the Player picks are competent and outstanding, and at the same time, they are deployed on the most dangerous missions.
If I can just avoid that, I might be able to spend my time doing border patrol.
Come to think of it, if I become a unit, will there be a Player?
The guardian deity of the Empire?
"Young Master, it is time..."
Time flew like an arrow, and it became time to head to Wartz, the frontline city where Eisenblut is located.
Including Andrio with a somber face and my mother sobbing, everyone in the castle came out and saw me off with stiff faces.
I understand their reaction, which looked like they were watching a cow being dragged to the slaughterhouse.
Because before I entered this body, its owner was a reckless child who knew nothing and eventually passed away from a fever.
"Wartz, at the edge of the West, is almost on the opposite side of our territory, but if you take the express airship, it won't take long."
The young butler who accompanied me with the escort troops pointed to the blue sky.
The airship carrying us actually cut through the sky quickly and landed in a large city before long.
'Brutal.'
A completely different landscape from the Leberk territory, which was somewhat cozy and luxurious, unfolded.
Desolate and barren. It felt like the entire city was thoroughly tailored to efficiency and practicality.
All I could see everywhere were heavy fortresses and stone buildings.
The destination, Eisenblut, was also drearily angular, contrary to the saying that it was where the Empire's best talents gathered.
"Welcome. You must be Leon Leberk."
"Helena..."
She was the first official I met there.
Piercing through her beautiful wavy blonde hair, a pair of pointed ears poked out.
One of the NPCs in <Ultimate Field> and an official of Eisenblut. High Elf Helena.
I could tell just by looking at her face.
Because both her blonde hair and blue eyes looked exactly like the illustration.
"Do you know me? There are actually very few people who have seen me in person. Originally, the freshmen for the next term had already been selected... but about a month ago, I suddenly felt a great change in fate. And that subject was you."
Helena, who looked down at me after I had unknowingly acted like I knew her, smiled as if she found it interesting and showed me the large crystal ball placed in front of her.
Helena was definitely an astrologer in the game as well.
Possessing the [Insight Eye] trait that sees through the traits a unit possesses.
The key to Eisenblut sending out draft notices promptly after identifying the talents scattered throughout the Empire was none other than Helena.