episode_0002

Should I say a sudden annoyance flared up inside me?

Perhaps it was an absurd thought like, ‘Our precious protagonist is in danger!!’ that led to my actions.

One thing was for sure.

“Ugh…”

There was a piglet rolling around in front of me.

And the one who had knocked him over was none other than me.

“Haha, this is quite awkward.”

My lips curved into a gentle smile.

It was a sly grin.

I tried my best to look good-natured, but perhaps due to my trait, it wasn’t easy.

No matter what I did, I couldn’t shake off the sinister feeling.

Well, what could I do?

I gave up for the most part and bent down.

Then, I spoke to the piglet lying ridiculously on the ground.

“I unintentionally committed a discourtesy. Young Master, are you alright?”

“Th-this…! Who the hell are you?!”

The fellow suddenly flared up, screaming.

As the pain from the shock subsided, it seemed fury over falling had surged.

His reaction is bigger than I expected.

“Oh dear~ I’m so sorry, what should I do?”

“Where did this lowlife crawl out from! How dare you knock over the son of Baron Hollinte?!”

“My steps were hurried, so my eyes were dim, you see.”

“Are you calling that an excuse…!”

“Your voice is quite booming.”

I expressed my regrets for the piglet’s anger and elegantly introduced myself.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yuda Snakers, the sole heir of the Snakers Count family.”

“Snakers…?”

The fellow, who had been raging a moment ago, faltered.

It seemed the name ‘Snakers’ had put a brake on him.

Yes, it would be strange if he didn’t know.

It was a family that belonged to the prestigious nobility, after all.

Gazing at his stiffening face, I smiled brightly.

“Th-the Viper Count family…? If so, are you the Viper’s son?”

“It’s an honor that you remember me.”

“Ah…”

The pig’s face turned stark white.

It seemed he had realized he was utterly screwed.

But what good was late regret?

The snake, coiled tightly around its prey, had no intention of letting go.

‘What? The Baron Hollinte family?’

As far as I knew, it was a truly worthless family with no roots, no wealth, and no talent.

And yet, it dared to bully a commoner?

And our lovely protagonist, at that?

“I-I’m sorry…! I, I didn’t recognize a person of your stature and was rude…!”

The fellow hastily bowed his head.

The way he bent his back, which had been stiff just a moment ago, was truly pathetic.

Well, he probably had good reason to react that way.

He had publicly humiliated the son of a prestigious family in front of others.

“Huhu… so you were aware of your rudeness?”

“I’m sorry. I truly am sorry…!”

“Hmm?”

I deliberately tilted my head as if to mock him.

It was unfortunate news for him, but I had no intention of being lenient.

I had no interest in such pathetic apologies.

‘If he was going to apologize, it should have been to our poor protagonist, not me.’

Then I might have considered it a little.

Pushing aside the bad thoughts that coiled in my mind, I chuckled.

“How amusing.”

With a leisurely remark, I extended my hand.

An elegant motion, like a snake parting the bushes.

It lightly touched the pig’s shoulder, bestowing a chilling sensation.

“Seeing you acting so presumptuously… makes me laugh without realizing it.”

He flinched, his eyebrows trembling.

I know this type of fellow very well.

People who are so full of pride and inferiority that they’ll do anything to show off.

They are the kind of humans I despise the most.

The way to mess with this type of person is simple.

It’s to shatter their pride.

Humiliate them, ridicule them, ignore them, and destroy their unique sense of self-worth.

“It’s pathetic, wouldn’t you say?”

Yes, operation name.

Ridicule with all your might.

I lightly flicked my tongue out.

Between my parted lips, my uniquely seductive voice leaked out.

I didn’t put much thought into my lines.

After all, if I just rambled, my ‘Smiling Mask’ trait would take care of it.

“Judging by your recent remarks, you seem more suited to a street thug than a noble, wouldn’t you agree?” =Did you chew on a rag? And you call yourself a noble?

“Furthermore, to shout at such a delicate young lady… I see no chivalry in that.” =No guts? If you’re going to live like that, just cut it off.

“Contrary to your imposing physique, your character seems rather small.” =You’re built big, but your mind is tiny as hell.

“Baroness must have a hard time. Well, they do say raising children is the hardest.” =Your mom.

A fierce barrage of blows.

The fellow seemed dazed by the dizzying onslaught of insults.

How about that? This is a K-gamer’s teabagging.

The key here is the other students watching us.

The sight of the fellow, who was raging like a tiger just a few minutes ago, being exposed as nothing more than a coward.

The onlookers would mock him.

And the more they did, the more his pride would crumble.

“You truly are a unique individual.” =Idiot.

As I continued my delightful humiliation, a girl suddenly came into my sight.

Pink hair, trembling green eyes.

It was our lovely protagonist.

‘Regia Filers.’

She was kneeling on the ground, looking up at me.

Trembling like a frightened rabbit.

As expected, she was just as cute as I remembered from the game.

I gave her a light wink.

Towards the girl whose gaze met mine, as if to tell her not to worry too much.

‘That reminds me… it seems it’s about time.’

I muttered, checking the time.

No sooner had that thought crossed my mind than a voice echoed in my ear.

A broadcast that cut off the flow.

Only then did I stop my humiliation and removed my hand from the fellow’s shoulder.

His face was flushed red.

His arms were trembling, so it seemed he was terribly ashamed.

“Shall we stop here for now? I hope we don’t have to meet again!” =Don’t mess with me. Unless you want to die.

I smiled brightly.

This time, I didn’t hide my sinister aura at all.

It was a blatant warning.

“…Thank you for your generosity.”

The fellow bit his lip for a moment, then bowed his head and retreated.

He was truly a textbook ‘third-rate villain.’

It really made me feel like this was inside a game.

Chewing on my idle thoughts, I moved my feet towards a certain direction.

“Lady.”

Our protagonist, trembling quietly.

I extended my hand to her.

“Are you alright?”

“……Ah.”

The girl, who had been momentarily lost in thought, soon came to her senses and took my hand.

“Th-thank you…”

“Don’t mention it.”

“I was in a difficult situation, but you saved me.”

“Haha, I merely did what I had to do.”

“B-but still, you ultimately saved me…”

The protagonist, who didn’t spare her words of gratitude even though it was merely my personal ‘punishment’ of the other person.

I could already feel how kind-hearted she was.

It felt like my chest was overflowing.

This person truly was the ‘Regia Filers’ I knew.

I’m a fan. Hug me.

I swallowed those words with effort, a smile playing on my lips.

“You might have heard earlier, but… my name is Yuda Snakers.”

“My name is Regia Filers.”

“Our meeting like this must be fate. Would you like to accompany me?”

“Ac-accompany you?”

“You see, this is my first time at the Academy. I didn’t even bring an attendant, so I was feeling quite lonely on this unfamiliar path.”

“Ah…”

Her green eyes pondered for a moment.

It was probably due to her personality of being awkward around nobles. It was still the early part of the game, after all.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“…If Young Master is alright with it.”

“It would be my honor.”

It was like meeting an idol I had admired for a long time.

As I was immersed in an indescribable emotion, the broadcast hurried us once again.

I spoke.

Towards our frozen protagonist.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes…!”

Three years since my transmigration.

Finally, entering the Academy.

***

During the past three years, I had many worries.

As I was suddenly dragged into this world, my confusion was also immense.

-This must be a dream…?

-Or have I really gone insane? Damn it, I should have played less games.

-I don’t know anything anymore…

It seems there was a period of wandering.

To adapt to a new environment, sufficient time is always necessary, isn’t it?

I was no different.

It was only after about a month had passed that I realized.

That this entire situation was real.

And that there was no way back.

Having realized this cruel truth, I resolved to live in accordance with this world.

There’s nothing more foolish than clinging to something you can’t control.

It’s wiser to accept it.

-Well… come to think of it, it’s not so bad, is it?

I decided to look on the bright side.

After all, it had been a lonely life without a single person by my side, so I had no lingering attachments.

It was also fortunate that I had transmigrated into the game I had delved into so deeply.

-I should see the ending this time.

Hadn’t I transmigrated into the body of the final boss, for once?

Perhaps this was an opportunity given to my gamer life, which had burned tens of thousands of hours.

1943 repeated tries.

I had been dragged here without ever seeing the ending in the end, so I had never witnessed it.

The ending where this world ends happily.

-This time, for sure.

An unfulfilled dream is like that.

I wanted a sparkling story.

That was also why I had obediently come to the Academy, following the original plot.

My goal was simple.

Enjoy Academy life, help the protagonist’s party. Prevent the world’s destruction.

In the end, I wanted a happy ending.

-And in the process… it would be nice to get close to the original characters.

It was my life’s game, after all.

If the characters I had only ever seen on screen were running around in front of my eyes, how deeply moving would that be?

It was the undeniable heart of a true otaku.

If I got close to them, I would definitely treat them well.

I’d deal with dangerous enemies for them, and I’d dote on them diligently.

If Yuda in the original story was a traitor who deceived everyone, I resolved to become a reliable ally.

Yes, I clearly resolved to do that, but…

“……Ugh, ugh.”

Why is she like this since earlier?

“Regia-yang. Aren’t you too stiff?”

“Ah… I-I’m sorry!”

“Oh my~ I wasn’t asking for an apology, you know.”

Regia flinched at my light remark.

She looked like a frightened rabbit.

‘What is it? She wasn’t originally this timid.’

I tilted my head.

There was a setting that she found nobles difficult to deal with, but it wasn’t this much.

Her unique innocence wasn’t visible.

‘What’s the problem?’

I pondered for a moment, scanning the girl.

It didn’t take long for me to figure out the reason.

“It seems you hurt your wrist?”

“Ah.”

Had she hurt it when she fell earlier?

Regia kept rubbing her wrist.

It seemed my probing question was correct, as the girl gave a wry smile.

“…I think I just twisted it a little.”

“This is quite serious. An injury right before the exam.”

“It’s alright. It’s not painful enough to affect the exam.”

“Still, I’m worried.”

I let out a quiet hum.

Was there anything I could do?

After fretting for a moment, I suddenly remembered something and rummaged through my pocket.

“Regia-yang. How about using this?”

“This is… a bandage?”

What I pulled out was none other than a bandage.

A pure white, medical bandage, not a speck of dust on it.

I nonchalantly handed it over.

It clearly wasn’t a size that would fit in a coat pocket, but let’s just gloss over that.

Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

“It just happened to be in my pocket. I would be happy if Regia-yang would use it.”

“Uh… uh-oh?”

“Here.”

“H-how, from such a small pocket…?”

“It’s a secret.”

I slyly evaded the flustered girl’s question.

To prevent any further questions, I grabbed the unsuspecting girl’s arm.

“H-huh…?”

“Just bear with it for a moment. I intend to fix it so it doesn’t get worse.”

I unwound the bandage and wrapped it directly around her wrist.

Regia, who had initially seemed flustered, soon accepted my gentle touch.

“Th-thank you… I feel like I’ve been nothing but trouble since we first met.”

“You don’t need to feel burdened.”

“But…”

“I am simply overjoyed to have been of assistance to Regia-yang.”

“Huh…?”

Oh dear. Had I spoken too nostalgically?

Regia floated several question marks above her head.

The pink-haired girl tilted her head and carefully parted her lips.

“Do you… perhaps know me, Young Master?”

“Hmm?”

“Ah, no… it’s just that you seem to be treating me too intimately…”

The next thing that flew at me was, as expected, an awkward question.

How should I explain this?

Just as I was letting out a faint smile.

What saved me from that situation was a deep voice from behind me.

“Yuda Snakers. It’s your turn next.”

It was the assistant instructor supervising the entrance exam.

He held the list of applicants, tapped his pen a few times, then cast a light gaze my way.

“Please follow the instructions and proceed to the examination hall.”

“Ah~ Of course! I’ll go right away!”

Since it was a chance to avoid answering, I raised my hand high and stood up.

Nice timing.

“It’s my turn. I’ll take the exam and be right back.”

“Oh, oh… Yes, yes! Good luck with the exam…!”

“Haha! I’m delighted you’re cheering me on!”

Well then, I’ll be off!

With that final remark, I moved my feet towards the examination hall.

***

Stepping into the examination hall with a pounding heart.

I was full of anticipation.

The continent’s foremost educational institution, and the setting of the original story: Galimar Academy.

What interesting things would happen, I wondered?

As a prestigious institution, surely the entrance exam would be innovative and exciting, right?

“You simply need to attack the target placed here.”

However, it didn’t take long for that expectation to be shattered.

I asked the assistant instructor with a vacant expression.

“Are you perhaps referring to that very small, precious, and adorable doll standing in front of me as the target?”

“That is correct.”

“Good heavens…”

I exhaled a sigh of disappointment.

My gaze was fixed on a single scarecrow-like doll standing all alone.

I had wanted something more spectacular.

“I trust you know how the score will be measured.”

I don’t.

“The individuals in the waiting area have been able to observe other applicants’ exams, as we’ve been broadcasting it continuously with magic tools.”

I was busy chatting with our protagonist, so I didn’t see it.

“I wish you the best of luck.”

Damn it.

I couldn’t very well give those answers to the assistant instructor who was scoring.

Couldn’t I just adjust it appropriately and hit it?

I should have listened to the instructions properly if I had known this…

‘……Sigh.’

Late regret was useless.

Accepting the cruel reality, I silently shed tears inwardly and took my stance.

It was a stance for casting magic.

‘The magical output… should I just aim for a middle-tier ranking?’

I quietly examined the target.

It wasn’t an ordinary doll after all.

Various spell structures for defense, absorption, and calculation were woven within the fabric.

So it lived up to its name as ‘the best’ after all.

‘I need to be careful… not to get caught.’

I had no intention of taking first place.

A position that garners a lot of attention always comes with a corresponding amount of bother.

I declined.

I wouldn’t take it even if they gave it to me.

‘Just enough so the doll doesn’t break.’

With a small muttered thought, I aimed my finger.

A finger gun formed by extending my thumb and forefinger.

As mana condensed at my fingertips, it coalesced into a single, jet-black bullet.

“Bang.”

Whoosh—!

Leaving a sound like escaping air behind, darkness shot forth.

A rapidly flying projectile.

The next moment, it reached the target’s forehead.

Thwack—!

The shadow powerfully struck the defensive spell.

The fiercely spinning bullet seemed as if it would directly pierce its brow, but then it gradually lost momentum.

Though its appearance was humble, its essence was an entrance exam prepared by the Academy.

It wouldn’t easily allow a breakthrough.

Ultimately, the mana bullet scattered without leaving even a scratch.

Clatter…!

The doll, which had been standing still, toppled over from the impact.

I surveyed the target sprawled on the ground.

‘This should be fine, right?’

The doll wasn’t broken, and the magic I cast wasn’t particularly flashy.

There was nothing to attract attention.

Just about average output for the Academy.

Even I thought it was perfectly clean control.

“Wow~ controlling power is really hard, isn’t it?”

I mumbled so no one could hear.

With a smug smile, I dusted my hand, which still had residual mana.

Perfect.

According to plan.

“Huhu, once I’m done, shall I go watch Regia-yang’s exam?”

……At the time, I had no idea.

That the Academy staff.

The professors observing through the magic tools, were in an uproar because of my exam.