To the Academy
Well then. I’d survived. That was enough for now. I set my travel bag down. The path was secluded and far from the mansion. I stood there and stared ahead.
It only took one night. I had been cast out. My family was gone. Now, I possessed the body of a hopeless extra. He was a minor villain. But there was a silver lining. This scoundrel had stashed away secret funds. I wouldn’t starve on the streets yet.
"It's finally spring."
My reality was cold. But the breeze was warm. I checked the weather. Classes hadn't started. It was pre-second-year. I looked around. I stretched my limbs. Now what?
There was no need to agonize. Only one path lay ahead of me.
"I have to head to the academy."
The stage of Salenium Saga was Salenium Academy. It was the only place for me. I had ten thousand hours of knowledge. I could leverage it all there. That was reason enough. But the real crux was something else.
The protagonist was fixed. His name was 'Erhan.' The game had a simple slogan. "Solve incidents with heroines. Forge your youth." It had countless heroines. It had multiple endings. It had many branching paths.
But what if you fail? What if you don't conquer Salenium Saga?
Each route had its own bosses. But if 'Erhan' died, it was over. There was only one conclusion. World annihilation.
It was a cliché. But it was an ironclad bad end. A user once asked a question at a fan meet:
The developers were straightforward. Their response was simple.
The fan shut up. The developers got applause. It was a clear answer. A world without a player has no value. It ends early.
I possessed Adrian. But Erhan was still the 'protagonist.' I had to do my part. I had to ensure that fool didn't die.
"I’m playing nanny now. I never signed up for this."
The road ahead was long. I needed a power base. I had to protect Erhan. I had to win against Ebnis. I needed to get back ASAP.
Then a thought hit me. How do I get there? I had savings. But I couldn't blow it all. It was a long way to the academy. Carriage rides. Warp gates. It was expensive.
I deliberated for a moment. Then I decided.
"Some expenses are unavoidable."
Getting back was the priority. I wouldn't pinch pennies now.
"First, I'll find a carriage."
I headed to the main road. Then it happened.
—Screech.
A sleek carriage approached. It halted by the roadside. What was this?
I stood frozen. The door flew open.
"Why are you just standing there? Get in."
Who? Me?
The carriage glided smoothly. There were no bumps. It was a high-quality ride.
"Thanks for the ride."
"What are you saying? I was supposed to pick you up. Remember?"
"······Right."
It was news to me. But that was the plan. A girl sat beside me. She had long, straight black hair. Her back was straight. She gazed out the window. She had jade-green eyes.
I knew her name. Reina von Wolfgang. She was a playable character. She was a major heroine. Her family ruled the western frontier. She was the star of the magic department.
She had an appointment today. She was here to pick up Adrian. This was the hour. This was the day I would have died in the original story.
"Straight to the academy, right? Adrian."
"Mm."
She was Adrian's 'fiancée.' But the original Adrian died. The engagement became a dead letter. It was a political marriage. There was no affection. That was the lore.
"The semester starts soon."
"Yes. Break ends in three days. I’ve finished my pre-studying. I’m ready for the whole term."
"Impressive."
"I have to be. I’m aiming for top of the year."
That was that. Count Wolfgang was an opportunist. I was the 'sub-marquis' before. Now? I had zero value. The engagement would dissolve on its own.
"······Did something happen?"
"What do you mean?"
"You feel different. The old Adrian was different. He wouldn't reply to me like this."
"······Was I like that?"
"You were. Oh, right. Did you skip the entrance exams?"
"No point for me."
"Fair. We handle that stuff. Congrats anyway. Ebnis topped the knight department."
"I couldn't care less about her."
"Adrian. You said that two weeks ago, too."
Reina giggled. I turned away. Ebnis topped the entrance. The story was on track. The main plot hadn't kicked off yet.
"Oh."
Reina gasped. She peered out the window. We passed through the warp portal. We crossed the empire in an instant. We arrived at the island.
"It's amazing. Every single time."
Castles loomed in the distance. There were forests and deserts. Snowfields and volcanoes. Artificial terrains everywhere.
This was Riven Island. Salenium Academy stood there. It was the pinnacle of learning. It was a world within a world. This was the game's stage.
"It was fun seeing you. I'll report this to Father. That's my role."
Reina smiled. I met her eyes. The carriage stopped. It was time to go. But I had to say one thing.
"Reina."
"Yes?"
"Find yourself another fiancé. Not me."
"...Pardon?"
She stared at me. She was baffled. I grabbed my bag. I stepped out.
"Wait! Adrian!"
"You'll find out soon. Just read the letter. Count Wolfgang will send it."
—Bam.
I shut the door. The carriage departed. In the original, Adrian died. The breakup was sealed. Now, I was alive. But I needed distance. I had to use the lore freely.
'Dorm first.'
Adel Hall was for high nobles. Adrian stayed there. I followed my memory. I crossed the bridges. A grand building appeared.
"Adrian Rothschild de Repelheit? Your transfer was processed yesterday."
"······What?"
"Check Merin Hall. Goodbye."
—Bam!
Kicked out. The door shut. It was silent. Only birds chirped. I ran a hand through my hair.
"······Damn it all."
Can't I get a break?
Fine. There's always a way. Actually, this is better. Adel Hall was expensive. Merin Hall was for commoners. It was cheaper.
'The marquis moved fast. He evicted me already.'
I should thank him for the paperwork. Plus, Merin Hall was important. Act 1 started there. I needed to be close.
I reached the dorm. The maid startled. She looked like she saw a ghost.
"A-Adrian-nim?"
"Where's my stuff?"
"Room 103. Second-year east wing. Here is the key..."
"Thanks."
I walked off. I found my room. I unpacked. It was a simple layout. Bunk bed. Two desks. One wardrobe. One bathroom.
I opened the first suitcase. Books and papers spilled out. Five magic tomes. These were my new soulmates.
General Elemental Theory.
Elemental Mana Linkage.
Introductory Swordsmanship.
General Imperial History.
General Herbalism.
I remembered the curriculum. Second-year was for general studies. I was in the magic department. Why swordsmanship? It was a gen-ed elective. Adrian was a mage, not a knight.
I sorted the papers. There were dozens of sheets. My grades were pathetic. I saw F's everywhere. Then I saw the 'love letters.' Academic warnings.
This is a warning. To the Repelheit family. Dedicate yourself to study. Or face the consequences...
"Unbelievable."
This guy had two warnings. Three meant expulsion. I had scandals too. One slip and I'm gone. I have to survive this semester.
I found a wooden stick. It was at the bottom. It had a tiny sprout. I swung it. Nothing happened. It was light. I propped it by the desk.
Clunk—
Second suitcase. Clothes. Uniforms and casual sets. I changed into the uniform. I checked the mirror.
······Handsome bastard. Golden hair. Cold eyes. Twig arms. But broad shoulders. He looked like a villain. A high-quality one.
'I need character info. It would help.'
Then it happened. Blue light swirled. Text appeared in my vision.
"Found it."
Stats were trash. Str 3. Mana 4. Vit 5. This was pathetic. One skill was a dud. The other was limited. But I wouldn't break. I’ve done level 1 runs before.
Then, footsteps. They were hesitant. Someone was at the door. It was my roommate.
—Creak.
"A-Are you in? S-Sub-Marquis Repelheit-nim?"
The voice was mid-tone. I stiffened. My roommate was a playable character. She was a girl. But she was disguised as a boy.
Everyone fell for it. Short blue hair. Toned build. Scarred hands. She looked like a pretty boy. Her name was Kalen Snowwhite. Her real name was Hyrin.
She tripped at the door. I looked at her.
"Come in. No formalities. I'm exiled anyway."
"Sit down. For now."