Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Transmigration, and the Trial
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A solemn atmosphere.
A summary trial, presided over by the faculty and the Student Council, had begun.
“Jace Crodain.”
“Your misdeeds go against the ideals of this academy.”
“You relied on your family's prestige to harass a powerless female student.”
“Far from admitting defeat, you swung your sword at an opponent who had turned their back on you.”
“Beyond that, you have caused countless other problems.”
“Now, do you admit to your crimes?”
“If you have any objections, we will grant you the opportunity to defend yourself.”
All eyes were fixed on me.
Every single one of them radiated intense malice.
“…”
How could I possibly defend myself in this situation?
Even from my perspective, Jace was a piece of human trash.
Everything they said was true, so he wasn't worth a shred of sympathy.
However.
I'm not Jace, am I?
Just a good-natured young man who was suddenly transmigrated into his body…
The timing was truly unfortunate.
Of all times, I had to be transmigrated right at the end?
It was a classic case of someone else making the mess, but I was the one left to clean it up.
Fragmented memories of my past life flashed by.
An accident. A hospital. A confined life. A mobile game…
It was all very blurry.
But I couldn't dismiss it as a mere delusion.
Soon, Jace's future unfolded in my mind.
Cursing the world, he would throw in his lot with the Demon King's Army.
After undergoing a corruption ritual, he would claim a seat among the Four Heavenly Kings.
A true enemy of humanity.
An unforgivable traitor.
‘That would be… problematic.’
Of course, since the contents had changed,
things would likely head in a completely different direction, but if possible, I needed to stay at the academy.
As the continent's finest educational institution,
it was not only safe but also offered plenty of opportunities to grow stronger.
I would rule out the option of returning home.
The head of the Crodain Family.
In other words, this body's father would be furious.
I'd be beaten half to death for sure.
At worst, I'd be kicked out.
The best I could hope for then would be to become a wandering mercenary.
I'd rather become one of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings than that.
“…”
I hate both options!
I'd rather grovel in the mud at the academy.
If I could just somehow graduate, I wouldn't be kicked out of the family.
The original Jace would have been enraged, but I was more than willing to be servile.
‘Still, I can't appear too subservient.’
The very fact that a summary trial was being held
proved that this wasn't a situation that could be resolved just by bowing my head.
In that case, negotiation was my only option.
They must see Jace as an irredeemable scoundrel.
So I have to show them there's a chance for redemption.
“I admit my faults.”
“…”
A wave of puzzled reactions followed.
It seemed they had expected me to struggle desperately.
If I had thrown a tantrum like a scoundrel,
they would have used it as an excuse to expel me by force.
I feigned composure and continued speaking.
“However, I am the heir to the Crodain Family.”
“To hold a trial and expel a noble student…”
“I imagine it would set a rather unwelcome precedent.”
“Therefore, I humbly request.”
“I would like one last chance.”
“I will leave the terms to you.”
Expulsion was a last resort.
This was because it could lead to issues regarding the vested rights of students.
This nearly-forbidden process was only initiated because Jace was such utter trash.
“He's not wrong…”
“His logic is so sound, it's suspicious.”
“No, that scoundrel, now of all times…!”
“Since he said he'd leave it to us, I see no issue.”
I narrowly avoided expulsion, but I couldn't escape punishment.
“Expulsion from the dormitories. Banned from attending classes.”
“You are to manifest Sword Ki within one month.”
“If you do, we will rescind the punishment.”
Compared to everything he had done, it was quite lenient.
In truth, Jace wasn't a scoundrel, but the opposite.
A rising star.
A genius who had entered the academy at the top of his class.
He even had a good personality and was kind to everyone, but…
after an unforeseen accident, his body became unable to handle mana.
A reality he could not bring himself to accept.
Frustrated by it, he gradually became a scoundrel.
‘In other words, the trial's verdict…’
wasn't lenient, but rather cruel.
It was a death sentence, albeit a delayed one.
It was enough to make me sigh.
But I had to be satisfied with the one-month grace period.
Just as I resolved to survive no matter what,
an unexpected situation unfolded before my eyes.
[Achievement Unlocked: The Right Choice]
[Reward: +1,000 Achievement Points]
Huh? What's this?
Was I really trapped in a game?
My memories were hazy, so I wasn't sure.
But the moment the system window appeared, everything became clear.
“…”
Was that all?
There were even quests.
[Sub Quest]
[Physical Training: 100 push-ups. 100 sit-ups. 100 squats. 10km run. Repeat daily.]
Ahh, I think I know what this is…
Something is faintly coming back to me!
[Main Quest]
[Defeat the Demon King]
The bar for this one is too high.
I'll just have to ignore it for now.
There were many other minor quests as well.
‘If I can complete achievements along the way…’
I can see hope.
Yeah, it seems fate doesn't want me dead just yet.
If I'm going to be transmigrated into a scoundrel's body, I deserve at least this many perks.
He couldn't handle mana, but his body's physical condition wasn't half bad.
“…”
I've hit rock bottom before.
I will overcome any trial.
***
After clearing my things out of the dormitory,
I was thrown out into the forest outside the academy.
“…”
Hey, isn't this a bit harsh?
Shouldn't you at least let me sleep in a barn?
I was about to argue for the rights of a minor,
but the cold gaze of a girl shut me up.
“You are not to leave this place for one month.”
Ceria Carmel.
A member of the Student Council and one of the participants in the trial.
And… Jace's fiancée.
As if the body remembered, my chest suddenly grew warm.
“…”
It had been on hold until now,
but soon, the annulment would be finalized.
I quietly recalled Jace's final moments.
Later, Ceria would become a companion of the Hero.
She would face off against Jace, who had become one of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings.
Having surpassed the limits of humanity by embracing evil,
Jace maintained the upper hand, but his corruption suddenly faded, and Ceria did not miss the opening.
What had he regretted so much?
The traitor to humanity lamented to his former lover before drawing his last breath.
“…”
An utterly empty ending.
Yep. I'm not going anywhere near the Demon King's Army.
I'd rather just die. I absolutely refuse to accept such a bad ending.
Anyway.
This body desperately yearned for its fiancée.
What a fool…
Then he should have overcome it, no matter how hard it was.
The annulment was a foregone conclusion, so there was nothing I could do.
“A member of the Student Council will take turns watching over you.”
So they're going to monitor me, too.
Isn't that an invasion of privacy?
Well, it was this body's karma, so I had no grounds to argue.
“If you have anything to say, now would be the time.”
I plan to change my fate.
I will also avoid the bad ending involving her.
By becoming different from before,
the engagement might be maintained, but our fate did not seem like it would be a smooth one.
I gazed intently at Ceria.
The hairpin Jace had given her for her birthday.
For her to still be using it, what could it possibly mean?
For a moment, my lips moved without me realizing.
“You are beautiful, as ever, because you are unattainable.”
“---!!”
A flinch, and then a stern expression.
She then turned away from me as if fleeing.
“…”
I just said it.
For some reason, it felt like I had to say that line.
Judging by her reaction, it seemed she had completely shaken off any lingering feelings.
Just as I was soothing my aching chest,
[Achievement Unlocked: A Line for the Ages]
[Reward: +5,000 Achievement Points]
The system window updated anew.
Not even a day had passed, and I'd already completed two.
Hmm, is it just my imagination…
or are they just giving these away?
I'll gratefully accept what's given, but it completely ruined the mood.
I soon shook off the thought.
Figuring out how to survive from now on came first.
‘A hut… I probably don't need to build one.’
No matter the outcome, I just have to endure for one month.
If I wander around, I might find a cave…
I didn't fall into despair like someone else.
It was far too early to speak of despair.
This was a situation I could fully overcome.
No, in fact, it was much better than before.
At least now, I could move on my own.