Chapter 1: Transmigrated into the Weakest
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1: Transmigrated into the Weakest
Dawn.
Thunder roared.
The sound of rain lashing against the pavement echoed through the air.
I sat huddled in a ball, tucked behind the heavy drapes of the window. Raindrops slid down the translucent veil, appearing to freeze into the fabric as they fell. I stared at the sight, lost in thought.
“Haa.”
Three days. It had been three days.
No matter how much I racked my brain, the conclusion was the same: I had somehow transmigrated into the world of ❰Magical Knight of Märchen❱, a game I had played religiously for the past seven years.
To make matters worse, I was now a third-rate extra—someone who had absolutely no connection to the protagonist or any of the main cast.
It was a painfully cliché setup.
I wasn't even sure if I was in a stable period yet. Everything felt too vague, too surreal. When I first woke up to find piles of books stacked higher than my head, signaling the start of a grueling student life, a wave of dread and hopelessness washed over me.
Perhaps this was some kind of divine punishment.
I had simply wanted to experience the story again after a long hiatus. Not wanting to deal with the tedious grind, I had started a new game after applying a cheat code for an additional 100 stat points—the only one that actually worked.
As a hardcore veteran, I really shouldn't have done that.
That’s probably why I ended up here.
Haha, no. That’s crazy talk.
I’m really starting to lose it.
Regardless of the cause, the reality was undeniable: I was inside ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱. After living here for three days, I had confirmed that this was indeed the Märchen Academy I knew from the game.
Today was the day of the entrance ceremony—the event that marked the official start of the game’s plot. I had figured out the timing thanks to the banners at the main gate and the calendar in my dorm room.
When I first opened my eyes in the student dormitory, I used the academy currency provided as a first-year benefit to pay for my meals. Aside from eating, I had done nothing but wander the grounds in silence, day after day.
The world felt too real to ignore. I had no choice but to accept this absurd reality.
Furthermore, I had gained the ability to manipulate mana. The [Ice Curtain] I was currently using as a makeshift umbrella was proof enough of that.
Well… this isn't exactly a funny situation.
As I listened to the rhythm of the rain, a terrifying realization struck me.
This is… Hell-level difficulty, isn’t it?
❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ offered three standard difficulties: Easy, Normal, and Hard. Players could unlock "Extreme" after one clear, and the infamous "Hell" difficulty after a second.
In Hell difficulty, the game’s atmosphere shifted dramatically from the very first frame.
Normally, today was supposed to be a clear, sunny day—a bright beginning for the protagonist, Ian Fairytale, as he started his chaotic academy life. The refreshing background music and the vibrant atmosphere of that scene were etched into my memory.
However, if a player selected Hell difficulty, the game began with a heavy downpour and a gloomy sky. I remembered it vividly: the opening cutscenes were devoid of music, leaving only the oppressive sound of the rain. It was a grim omen of the road ahead.
In this difficulty, Ian was forced into a fight before the entrance ceremony even began.
Even though I transmigrated…
Hell difficulty lived up to its name with an insane level of challenge. Enemy levels were randomized and increased, their patterns became more complex, and the story itself shifted, introducing enemies that never appeared in lower difficulties. It was a mode meant only for the most dedicated veterans.
But I…
I called out to the system, and a translucent window materialized before my eyes. It was the familiar interface of a fantasy RPG.
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: 20
Gender: Male
Year: 1
Title: First-year
Mana: 280 / 300
– Mana Recovery Speed (D-)
– Stamina (D-)
– Strength (D)
– Intelligence (D)
– Willpower (B)
Potential ❰❰Details❱❱
[Combat Skills]
Elemental Series 1: Ice
– Elemental Firepower (D-)
– Elemental Efficiency (D)
– Elemental Synergy (C)
Elemental Series 2 (Locked)
[Owned Skills]
Active
– (★1) Ice Generation (D)
– (★2) Ice Curtain (C)
– (★1) Cold Divergence (C)
– (★1) Basic Protection Magic (E)
Passive
– None
Skill Tree ❰❰Details❱❱
[Unique Traits]
– None
Even for a third-rate extra, these stats were disastrous.
First of all, I was only Level 20. From what I recalled, the average level for a first-year at this point was around 40. Aside from a few outliers, almost every student should be in that range.
In the game, Level 20 was what you’d reach after the Hell-difficulty tutorial, but it was still bottom-of-the-barrel. Even my high Willpower stat was only useful for resisting illusion magic; it wouldn't help me in a real fight.
What kind of life did this guy lead to be this weak?
My skills were just as bad. Considering E was the lowest rank, having a D-rank in [Elemental Firepower]—the stat that determined the actual damage of my spells—was pathetic.
How did someone this trivial even get into a prestigious place like Märchen Academy?
Given the game's lore, I must have passed the entrance exam through sheer theoretical knowledge rather than practical skill.
So, what was I supposed to do now? No matter how hard I tried to dig through this body’s memories, my mind remained a blank slate. I had to stop worrying about the past and start planning for the future.
I didn't know if I’d ever return to my world or if I was stuck here forever. The worst-case scenario was a "Game Over"—if the protagonist, Ian Fairytale, died, the world would meet an early demise.
Assuming I can’t go back, what’s the safest way to survive?
The answer was simple: I had to clear the game.
Luckily, the cheat code is still active…
After checking my status window repeatedly over the last three days, I had confirmed that the 100 bonus stat points from my cheat code had carried over into my transmigration. While they didn't boost my current stats directly, they could be invested into my growth potential.
I couldn't expect a dramatic power-up immediately, though. The main problem was that "Isaac" not only had terrible specs but also garbage growth potential…
…[Ice Generation].
I squeezed out every drop of mana I could muster to create a single block of ice. A sphere the size of a soccer ball manifested in mid-air.
「Ice Generation (Ice Element, ★1)」
The moment I released the mana holding it, the ice sphere succumbed to gravity and crashed into the ground.
…I’m really, really weak.
Why don't I just freeze the blood inside an enemy's body? you might ask.
Unfortunately, that was impossible. The game’s lore established that every living being possesses an inherent "mana field," making it impossible to generate magic directly inside another person's body.
In short, my only power was the ability to drop ice cubes.
With that grim reality in mind, I needed to confirm one thing with my own eyes before making my next move.
Is the protagonist, Ian Fairytale, capable enough to survive Hell difficulty on his own?
*
❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ featured a unique boss fight at the very start of Hell difficulty: “Trevion the Evil.” He was destined to encounter the protagonist today, just before the entrance ceremony.
In the future, Ian Fairytale would face countless enemies due to the special powers he possessed.
The rain has stopped.
The time has come.
I glanced at the clock tower in the center of the academy. It was 8:00 AM. Sunlight finally began to pierce through the receding dark clouds.
I immediately set off for "Josena Forest," located just outside the academy’s main gate, using my memories of the game to navigate.
After climbing a small hill, I found the dorm where Ian had been staying during his journey to the academy. He was supposed to leave today to head toward the campus. My destination was a glade midway through the forest trail—the very path Ian would take.
There…!
I froze the moment I reached the clearing.
A black-haired man was leaning against a tree, his head hanging low. He wore a uniform similar to mine, and a trail of blood leaked from his chin. One look at that familiar face was all I needed.
Ian Fairytale. The protagonist of ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.
[Ian Fairytale]
Lv: 30
Race: Human
Elements: Light
Danger: X
An information window materialized, confirming his identity. In Hell difficulty, the player’s level is automatically set to 30 after the tutorial. It seemed the protagonist had already finished his introductory struggle and fainted.
Standing over him was a dark-skinned man. His limbs hung at eerie, unnatural angles, and his hands were twisted in opposite directions. He had pure white, curly hair. This was the infamous first boss who had driven countless players to despair.
[Trevion the Evil]
Lv: 80
Race: Demon
Elements: Dark, Water
Danger: High
It was Trevion the Evil.
Level 80… This is definitely Hell difficulty.
Trevion was a prelude to the hardships to come. At Level 80, he was a monster. Ian, at Level 30, was a fly in comparison. A single direct hit from Trevion would put Ian in a near-death state; a second would kill him instantly.
In Hell difficulty, enemy levels were sky-high, but the experience points they yielded weren't significantly better than other modes. It was the developers' way of telling players not even to attempt this mode without god-tier mechanical skill.
Plot-wise, it was impossible for the current Ian to defeat Trevion. Eventually, Kaya Astrea—the "second seat" of the first-year Magic Department—would appear and subdue the demon. The goal of this fight was simply to "survive" until she arrived.
But…
What are you doing, Ian?
Did you really run out of stamina already?
Please tell me that’s not the case…
I know Hell difficulty requires insane control, but this is pathetic.
Trevion began to slowly approach the unconscious Ian. Black orbs of water swirled in his palms—a fusion of dark and water elements.
And just like that, on the day of the entrance ceremony, the world was already teetering on the edge of a Bad Ending.
What happens to me if I die here?
If the world ends, do I go back to reality… or do I just cease to exist?
…I don't like those odds.
I had to find a way to salvage this. The only way to guarantee my safety was to ensure this game reached its conclusion. At the end of the story, Ian becomes a legendary magic knight and wins countless wars. Plus, a diploma from Märchen Academy, the most prestigious school on the continent, would guarantee me a comfortable life.
But for any of that to happen, I needed this fainted bastard to stay alive and eventually defeat the final boss, “Nephid the Evil God.”
I need a solution. Now. What’s the best way to handle this?
Oh, right. The cheat code.
100 stat points, right now!
I pulled up my Status Window and dove into the Potential ❰❰Details❱❱ section.
[Potential]
Stat Points: 100
◈ Growth Rate
– Physical Training Efficiency (D+): 16/100 [UP]
– Magic Training Efficiency (D-): 10/100 [UP]
– Learning Efficiency (D): 12/100 [UP]
◈ Elemental Resistance
– Fire Resistance (E): 0/100 [UP]
– Water Resistance (D): 6/100 [UP]
– Ice Resistance (C-): 24/100 [UP]
– Lightning Resistance (C): 29/100 [UP]
– Rock Resistance (E): 2/100 [UP]
– Wind Resistance (D): 13/100 [UP]
– Neutral Magic Resistance (D): 8/100 [UP]
◈ vs. Race Combat Power
– vs. Human Combat Power (E): 4/100 [UP]
– vs. Other Races Combat Power (E): 1/100 [UP]
– vs. Celestial Combat Power (E): 0/100 [UP]
– vs. Demon Combat Power (E): 0/100 [UP]
The 100 stat points I had entered via the cheat code were there, ready to be used. The [UP] buttons glowed next to every category.
Without a second thought, I dumped every single point into [vs. Demon Combat Power].
Trring!
[Potential [vs. Demon Combat Power] has been upgraded from E to S!]
[You have acquired the unique trait [Hunter]!]
[You have achieved MAX potential in [vs. Demon Combat Power]. The unique trait [Hunter] has been granted.]
It was the only logical choice. This stat provided a massive temporary boost when facing demons. Since almost every major villain in ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱ was a demon, investing in this made me a specialist in boss battles.
[Hunter] was the ultimate reward for maxing out that potential. It drastically amplified the effects of the stat. Against a demon like Trevion, I would now possess overwhelming power.
Fully prepared, I stepped out into the clearing.
As Trevion closed in on Ian, he sensed my presence and turned his gaze toward me.
“…”
[…]
He had dark purple eyes, a human-like face, and a bizarrely elongated body. The moment he saw me, he grinned so wide it looked like his face was tearing apart.
[Hello?]
Trevion’s head twitched as he greeted me in a high-pitched, squeaky voice. It was this trait that earned him the nickname "Hello-man" among players. Trevion was a demon who could only say one word.
[Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello Hello?]
He swayed rhythmically for a moment, then suddenly lunged at me with terrifying speed!
I didn't hesitate. I thrust my right hand forward in a classic spellcasting stance. I felt a mix of fear and anticipation.
Suddenly, my heart hammered against my ribs as if gripped by a vise. My blood began to boil, and the mana in the air around me surged violently.
[A demon has been recognized as an enemy.]
[The unique trait [Hunter] has activated!]
[For a limited time, your level and stats have been greatly enhanced!]
[For a limited time, your skill tree has been increased by +10!]
[Status]
Name: Isaac
Lv: (120)
Gender: Male
Year: 1
Title: First-year
Mana: (30000 / 30000)
– Mana Recovery Speed (B+)
– Stamina (A-)
– Strength (A)
– Intelligence (D)
– Willpower (S)
Oh…
My level and stats… they’re skyrocketing.
Unlike before, I felt an ocean of energy at my disposal. I surrendered myself to the sensation.
Trevion swung his arms, sending a spiral of dark-water mana hurtling toward me. At that exact moment, I unleashed the frigid energy coursing through my veins.
A geometric pattern of pale blue light manifested in front of my palm. Then, the cold exploded.
—————— 「Frost Explosion (Ice Element, ★5)」
Baaaaaang!
“Whoa!”
Like a shot from a heavy cannon, a massive burst of ice erupted from my hand, instantly devouring Trevion’s magic. The sheer volume of mana fanned out, overwhelming the glade in a heartbeat. It swallowed Trevion whole and surged toward the sky.
In an instant, a colossal block of ice formed—a magnificent, jagged sculpture that looked like it had been ripped straight from the heart of the Arctic.
Trevion was trapped inside, his face frozen in a mask of agony.
Fortunately, Ian was just outside the blast radius. The ice had angled upward before it could reach him.
I let out a long, shaky breath, my steam visible in the sudden chill. Pure frost rolled off my palm like smoke from a gun barrel. Only moments ago, I could barely make a soccer ball. Now, I had created an iceberg.
This was the power of a maxed-out [vs. Demon Combat Power] stat.
I instinctively knew how to dispel the magic. With a thought, I released the mana holding the structure together.
Craaack—
The massive chunk of ice shattered with a loud boom, dissolving into a fine, pale blue powder that drifted away on the breeze.
No longer suspended, Trevion collapsed to the ground, drenched in blood. His body was riddled with wounds from the ice shards that had shredded him during the initial blast.
Is he done?
Even if he wasn't, I wasn't worried. I knew I could finish him with ease.
After a heavy silence, Trevion let out one final, weak breath.
[Hello… Hel…]
His voice faded into the wind. Trevion’s body began to crumble into ashen dust, scattering until nothing remained.