Chapter 11: Enrollment (4)
This world was a setting in the video game 'Aether World.' But, I believe more explanation is required.
The game Aether World was based on the original romance fantasy novel, 'The Fallen Princess.'
The novel 'The Fallen Princess' was about a young girl named 'Eisel' who lost her father and family when she was young, and grew up under the schemes of the villainess Hong Biyeon while studying at a magic academy. Everything eventually led her close to one of the male protagonists... something like that.
In the process, her fire for revenge disappeared, and Eisel, the heroine who was once more imposing and powerful than anyone else in the world, was later given up for taking refuge behind the male protagonist. She was even cursed for bringing upon the sad ending, and giving up the true ending. It was 'Aether World' that took this setting entirely.
The game's content, however, was completely different from the original version.
A new character named 'Edna' was added to the game, and she became the female protagonist.
The game's concept was nothing out of the ordinary. In the game setting, the character 'Edna' was a woman living an ordinary life in the modern world; someone who enjoyed reading the romance novel 'The Fallen Princess', and accidentally transmigrated to this world.
As a result of being pushed out of her role as the main heroine, Eisel was dubbed "Miserable Mistress." Because, the protagonist of this setting was Edna. She also became a playable character in the game.
'So, all I have to do now is be careful of the one named Edna.'
Murmur!
In response to the loud sound, I raised my head, and a huge auditorium barred my vision.
An elderly man with a beard that reached up to his waist stood on the podium. He held up a thing which closely resembled to a microphone, and spoke passionately, spitting saliva in the process.
"Ahem! Even right now! The 'Dark Demons' are causing havoc in the magical world! A mage's destiny is to protect the world from the forces that lurks in the darkness!"
The voice that sounded like an echo was both familiar and strange.
"I'm fucking bored, Vice Principal."
"You're talking about discipline as soon as we get to the academy?"
Looking around, I noticed over a thousand students lined up in the five columns. They wore Stella Academy's high school uniforms which had a black base with intricate gold embroidery.
After rehashing the story a few times, it was a scene I often saw because this was Stella Academy's entrance ceremony.
'... It feels really strange.'
The scene I saw in a 3D game had turned into a perfect reality. Every student was alive and had feelings.
I shifted my gaze to find the girl known as Edna.
The short girl was calmly looking around.
She was so adorable that many comments like lovely were used in the game, and everyone, regardless of age or gender, was secretly staring at her.
'She's also from the modern era.'
At first, I wanted to confront her and ask if she truly came from the reality I knew.
It would be better to be associated with a similar modern person in order to figure out how to get out of this world or how to survive.
Wouldn't it be true to say that we might have a better sense of unity and could take good care of each other because we had been living in the same modern age?
But, I could not figure out what kind of woman she was, so I abandoned the plan. She could stab my heart to rule out the possibility of another transmigrator familiar with this world, and I would die without anyone knowing.
'I need more information.'
There was nothing to regret. She was a person who transmigrated through the original novel, whereas I was a person transmigrated through the original game, which went a step further. Despite the fact that I was an extra with a role similar to that of a local shop NPC.
"So, I hope that all freshmen will continue to devote themselves to defeating the 'Dark Demons' today and tomorrow! That's all!"
"Following that, four students admitted with high grades and the freshman representative will take an oath."
The freshman representative and the students ranked second through fifth went up to the podium. They were Haewon-ryang, Eisel, Edna, and Hong Bi-Yeon, respectively.
"Wow, how do they all have such great hair and look so good?"
"I know right...."
There were always bright people who everyone looked up to, unlike me, who was ranked last out of 1,141 people.
Five of them could be said to be exceptional students with outstanding talent, but one of them stood out.
"Freshman representative! Mayuseong!"
He was 'Mayuseong,' a freshman representative who became the head of Stella Academy's first year.
He was the perfect embodiment of the phrase 'Children of Heaven.'
He possessed a rare potential to reach the divine realm of 9-star, as well as a natural aptitude for commanding all of the attributes that exist in this world.
As a result, Mayuseong was my first concern.
Even if I might not be able to achieve the true ending, I must bring Mayuseong around to the righteous faction in order to avoid the bad ending.
I knew.
It was the female heroine Edna's role to lead the way, while my role was to simply support the main characters from behind the scenes.
".... The entrance ceremony concludes."
Cheers erupted after the entrance ceremony was completed. Meanwhile, I finished the opening ceremony by watching the main characters.
[Episode 2 'Enrol in Stella Academy!' has been completed.]
[A small amount of EXP is acquired.]
When it comes to the fictitious thing that happens in school, they are nothing more than kid's fantasy.
A good time at school with your friends? A fireworks display that makes your heart pound with unrequited love?
Nothing like that exists.
Mid-term exam, final exam, mock exam, assignment, homework, and repeat.
'It's been a while since I graduated from university, but I am back to high school.'
It was said that Stella Academy was more difficult than most Korean university, so my future already looked bleak.
The cream of the school life was not dating, a friend, or a festival, instead, it was an exam.
The Stella Academy also held a test on the first day of classes. In fact, it was far too simple to be classified as a test.
The famed "Enrollment Test."
Even after passing the entrance exam, which boasted extreme difficulty, the written and practical magic test evaluated internal rankings. The students were organised into F-A classes based on their rank.
Most of the main characters were naturally assigned to Class S, but Baek Yu-Seol was almost unconditionally assigned to Class F since his grades and combat abilities were also at the bottom, so he was always at a loss in events.
In the game, I went to the library or reading room and activated an automatic study system to improve my grades, but it would not be possible in real life.
As a result, I was staring blankly at the exam papers on my desk.