012. Let's Get Along: Experiencing and Creating Magic Games.
Liberal arts category lecture: Experiencing and Creating Magic Games. Experience games made with magic formulas, then create your own based on that playtime. Despite the grandiose keyword "magic," it boiled down to something simple: "Play fun games and make your own." Even if the latter was ridiculously hard, the former would be enjoyable enough.
For me—who'd signed up mostly for academic, practical courses—this class was a ray of light, a little sanctuary.
'Plus, it's like a mix of VR and virtual reality.'
Back in my otaku days, I'd desperately waited for Sword Art Online to become real, yearning for scientific progress. This was a golden opportunity. And apparently, it even helped with real combat skills, making it a solid lecture all around.
Yeah, you bet.
[The Goddess wrinkles her face in disbelief, asking if I just wanted to play games. (¬_¬)]
The Goddess, who'd lived through barbaric times without even dreaming of virtual reality, wouldn't get it. How badly I'd longed for this moment. Magic tech mixed in instead of science, but whatever—this amazing game with my team of four.
"Ya-hoo! Our group's vibe feels great. I'm Maho, magic research department, exchange student from next-door Japan."
A girl with sparkling pink hair and an innocent vibe. Magic research student, Maho. If my old otaku self saw her, he'd unhesitatingly call her a "pink cutie." Yeah, every academy needs one like her in the team.
[The Goddess mutters that I'm still a total weeb...]
I ignored the Goddess starting her weird mumbling and focused on the others.
"Hello. Hunter Support Department, Imir."
A short guy with deep blue hair. Hunter Support, Imir. Honestly, after 20 years with an all-male hero party of muscle uncles, I had zero reason to welcome guys. But seeing a dude in this girls-only academy felt oddly novel and nice.
'Oh, there's another guy besides me.'
With nothing but girls around, I'd felt like the lone boy in an all-girls high school. Finally, a comrade. But to clarify right here: I had zero interest in same-sex guys or shotas, so I just nodded once and moved on.
The last one was the type that stood out from orientation and the level test.
"...Sepine Alavad. New Combat Department freshman, just enrolled. Nice to meet you."
Sepine Alavad. From the famous summoner family "Alavad." Her celebrity-like beauty was notable, but what really caught the eye was the man-sized metal lump she always carried.
'Manipulation, summoning type, right?'
Obviously, she controlled that lump beside her. And I'd seen her in Professor Shin Arin's lecture earlier—since then, she'd been sneaking glances my way. Eyes and expressions full of favor and curiosity.
'Does she like me or something?'
Realizing my looks were top-tier, that thought flashed through my mind, but—
[The Goddess says it's good to acknowledge your handsomeness, but don't get too narcissistic. (￣▽￣)]
Ah, right... Was that too hasty? Every time narcissism crept in, the Goddess muttered something, making it hard to indulge. Time to be more cautious—self-reflection mode.
I gave my intro, something I hadn't done in ages.
"Hi, I'm Shin Yuseong from Combat Class 1. I love games, so I signed up. Looking forward to the next six months."
Not flashy, but textbook solid. I wanted to be quirky and fun, but after the hero party stabilized, it'd been too long since my last intro.
'Feels like over a decade.'
Disastrous self-PR skills. A vocab-crippled guy trying to be funny would just annoy. As a self-objectification expert, textbook was fine.
"Ooh, you like games? Unexpected!"
"Yeah, nice to meet ya."
"...Six months, huh. Yes, please take care of me."
Surprisingly good reactions. Everyone smiled warmly—even the pink cutie clapped. The guy Imir seemed to like games too, beaming extra friendly. The noble lady Sepine Alavad muttered something reflective.
'But what's "unexpected"? Do I not look like a gamer?'
Means I look like a social butterfly? As a former hardcore gamer, should I like or dislike that? Anyway, positive spin. Yeah, Shin Yuseong—go full enjoyer mode, like that damn Goddess.
This was the fun elective, after all.
Intros done, time to game.
Today's rules were simple: Follow the magic AI master's lead and enjoy the story. Like an open-world online game, or more precisely, a TRPG. Roll dice, role-play based on numbers, advance the plot.
Of course, with magic, it wasn't just staring at a board mumbling.
"Heh heh heh, game OPEN."
The professor smirked like a villain, activating the spell on the board.
Bwoooong— With that sound, a rectangular blue barrier rose around the table, sealing to the ceiling. Like stepping into a digital world—everything blue.
Didn't stay plain blue long, though.
Please roll the dice.
Choose your class.
A huge die appeared before me, blue-gem colored like the space. It wobbled with my gaze. Throw, I thought—and it floated up.
Thud, roll roll roll. Tossed high, crashed down, tumbled wildly, then showed its number.
Magic die great luck!
Oh, nice class incoming...
"......Ah."
After 20 years playing only hero, no alternatives?
[The Goddess beams brightly, telling me to accept my fate. (^▽^)]
Sudden urge to piss on Risemara.
Meanwhile, Sepine doubted her eyes.
"Great misfortune. You rolled a 1, becoming a pathetic goblin...?"
She frowned, wondering if her eyes or the game were broken. Either way, displeasing sight.
Bwoooong— Dice decided, blue mana illusion flowed out, enveloping her.
Sepine Alavad grimaced, scanning her body. Tacky dark green skin, puny goblin form. She thought herself tolerant, but a noble lady had standards.
'...What the hell is this.'
Mood soured. She'd come for a chill liberal arts class, not humiliation. Still editable period—drop it?
Then—
Magic die great luck!
"Oh."
Mood flipped. Yes, keep those high rolls.
She read the prompt: Aptitude selection. Best options popped up. Party would split front/back lines, so balance needed. She was a mage but got the basics.
"Hm, this looks best—pick it."
Her shining, transformed body got a nod. Better than before. Probably.
'Find a teammate first.'
Unfamiliar with these games, she looked around. The plain blue world shifted to a full landscape: green meadows, fenced village one side.
And before it—a man. Shin Yuseong. The handsome guy.
'...Oh, ooooh.'
Sepine Alavad's eyes widened, doubting again. Blinked hard—scene held.
Roll roll, die auto-rolled, output appeared.
"...Dice 6. You meet the Hero as your first companion."
Whoa, even a Hero.
'Let's get along.'
Never fanned anyone, but now she was serious about character creation.
"Oh, jackpot."
Handsome guy smiled brightly, approaching—happy to see her.
'Games can be this thrilling.'
Sepine entered full immersion mode.
Magic die great luck!
⊳ Golden Goblin Battle Mage
A golden goblin with a fancy oversized bag on its back stood before me.
"Oh, jackpot."
First golden goblin in 20 hero years—impressed me.
"Kkik."
Somehow shy.
