episode_0001

The game I was playing was set in an academy that seemed straight out of a novel.

The protagonist, upon entering the academy, meets various people, makes friends, and embarks on a story of trials, tribulations, and overcoming hardships.

In a way, it could be called a cliche.

It may seem common, but there’s something oddly satisfying about it.

Moreover, each character in the game has their own backstory, making them all so charming that you can’t help but grow attached to them.

Perhaps that’s why I haven’t been able to put down this game for so long.

The gameplay is decent, the illustrations are good, and the graphics are not bad either.

But if there’s one issue…

The fact that the developers kill off side characters too easily?

“Sigh…”

Yes, despite various flaws, I’ll admit it now.

I seem to have entered the game I was playing.

I don’t know why I’m here, but I do have a goal now.

“To graduate safely.”

Surviving in a place where side characters besides the protagonist easily meet their demise.

Surviving to return home.

That is my top priority at the moment.

….

“I understand that I’ve entered the game I was playing… but to get hit with status abnormalities right after coming in is quite harsh.”

The most important thing is information.

To plan ahead, I need to know about myself.

“Status screen.”

As soon as I mentioned it, a blue interface window appeared in the air.

————

Name: Bern Flame

Age: 18

Occupation: Student (2nd year)

Title: None

Race: Human

Attributes:

≪Magic Amplification≫: Amplifies magic power.

≪Blue Flames≫: All fire-based skills are transformed into blue flames, enhancing their power.

Health: 4

Strength: 3

Skill: 7

Agility: 4

Magic: 6

————

“..Quite dire indeed.”

Undoubtedly messed up in many ways, with grim stats that drive the point home.

Even the protagonist, starting with no less than an average of 10…

It feels dizzying.

“By the way, Bern Flame…”

‘Bern Flame.’ In the game, he’s labeled as a troublemaker, a rogue, a stain on his family’s honor, among other things, but that’s far from the truth.

He’s a character with a deep backstory portraying a rogue.

Well, having a backstory isn’t an issue, but the biggest problem is…

“He’s known as the mid-boss of the original work.”

Around the time the protagonist and his party have grown somewhat during summer vacation.

As they leave the academy on the island to briefly carry out a mission on the mainland,

Stopping Bern, who has turned into a mid-boss, marks the end of the mid-chapter.

After defeating Bern, the game becomes significantly harder and darker in tone…

Well… that’s a distant future concern for me.

Bern’s issues are not few, and this mid-boss is notorious for its extreme difficulty level.

Famous for being so ruthless that players who have played for over 20 hours end up quitting without refunds.

There are no area patterns, and in addition to using flame abilities for health regeneration, there are skill disruptions, even instant-death patterns.

Bern Flame, the mid-boss, seems to have been created by the developers with the intention of giving players a hard time.

“But, isn’t he… too weak?”

Well, what can you do? Just accept it.

Let’s think positively.

The ≪Magic Amplification≫ attribute can be quite useful.

“By the way, was Bern so strong due to this attribute?”

Since Bern Flame, who couldn’t be recruited as a companion, became a boss, there was no way to know his stats before that.

He was really weak in the beginning. I’ve gained new information.

“….”

Sigh… But, I really can’t see a solution. A solution…

Thinking about the dark future looming over me suddenly gives me a reality check.

Of all times to enter, why did it have to be when I’m in this state?

I didn’t harshly criticize the game nor did I inquire much to the developers.

I simply played the game a lot!

“Confusing.”

Well, nothing can be done about it.

The water has already been spilled.

In that case, I must survive.

I refuse to die even within the game.

…

As I organize my thoughts, the sun has already set.

The bustling streets have quieted down, with only the street lamps powered by magic stones shining brightly.

“I should probably head back to the dorm for now.”

It’s night now, so I should return to the dorm as well.

Perhaps due to spring, it’s slightly chilly as the sun sets.

It’s fortunate that there was no evacuation in the dorms.

But where exactly am I staying?

The academy’s dormitories consist of four buildings from A to D, all of which are co-ed regardless of rank.

Nobles and commoners mix freely.

Most nobles, raised as elites due to the medieval fantasy setting of the game, do not belittle or ignore commoners unless provoked.

Due to this, there is little hatred or fear towards nobles among commoners; rather, many admire them.

Of course, there are exceptions.

Anyway, I returned to the room where Bern was staying using the student ID card in my pocket.

With the student ID, the dorm room opens without a key, just like in the game.

“Maybe I should take a shower first.”

While the game is set in a medieval fantasy world, modern items are implemented as magical artifacts for the characters’ convenience.

For example, toilets, running water, and electric lights.

There’s even an air conditioner powered by magic stones.

Although I criticized these forced settings while playing the game, entering the game world makes me grateful to the developers.

“Toilets are essential.”

As long as I’m comfortable, that’s what matters.

With a bathroom utilizing magic stones, there were no inconveniences in taking a shower.

After washing up, I roughly dried my hair with a towel and sat on the spacious and soft bed to gather my thoughts.

I possessed the body of a mid-level boss.

Upon possession, I cannot attend school for 15 days.

“Hmm… This might actually be beneficial?”

Fifteen days may seem long or short, but for someone like me who has played the game for a long time, it’s a good opportunity to develop my character.

Nevertheless, the fact that I entered the world of the game I’ve been playing for so long is quite exciting.

Night falls, and I become sentimental and contemplative for no reason.

Through the open window, the faint moonlight shines in, while the cool night breeze refreshes me.

It’s still slightly chilly due to spring, but it’s quite pleasant.

Whenever I become thoughtful, I enjoy opening the window, sitting quietly on the bed, looking at the night sky, and feeling the breeze.

I may have possessed a character destined to die as a mid-boss, but the thought of entering the game I’ve been playing does bring some anticipation.

If one isn’t excited about entering the game they’ve been playing for a long time, it would be a lie.

However, I can’t say I have no worries at all.

Having played the game for a long time, I have confidence. I’ve grown attached to the characters.

I’m in a hurry to survive, wondering if I can save them all and bring about a happy ending.

I won’t be fixated on the original story.

Since the moment I possessed Bern Flame, the original plot has already changed.

So, I must try everything I can.

If I know the original work, I should be able to solve everything.

No, it’s something only I can do.

Deep in thought, the clock had already struck midnight.

“Should I call it a night now?”

Envisioning a happy ending where I live and save those around me, I settled into bed.

….

“Oh, such an unfamiliar ceiling.”

A phrase I had always wanted to say at least once.

Perhaps due to the plush bed, my back wasn’t hurting, and I felt refreshed.

“Now, where to start?”

With a 15-day school suspension ahead, time was on my side.

“I should assess my abilities first.”

After freshening up with a quick wash and fully waking up, I took a seat at the kitchen table.

I only know about the mid-boss, Bern Flame; details about early-game Bern are scarce.

Appearing briefly at the beginning to torment the protagonist before vanishing and reappearing as a mid-boss—unlikely there would be substantial information.

Even the bits of info I have on Bern are gleaned from clues in the game.

The game developers hid them well, making them hard to find.

Since the game had just launched, accurate information was scarce, forcing me to dig for it myself.

Now it’s neatly organized on WikiTree, but back then, it was a different story.

Anyway, I need to understand my own capabilities now.

Though I lived in a mana-less world, I could perceive mana as if I had always lived in a world where it existed.

In this world, mana exists. It is absorbed by the body and refined into magical power.

Contrary to expectations that handling magic would be difficult, mana flowed through my veins like blood, feeling natural.

So, no sensation. It’s there, but it’s so seamless that it feels like nothing.

But I think I know how to wield magic.

Visualizing the image of fire, I extended my left hand and softly whispered, conjuring a small flame.

“Ignite.”

As something seemed to leave my body, a flickering blue flame appeared above my outstretched hand.

“…”

So, this is real magic.

My gaze was captivated by the blue flame.

Slowly burning, the blue flame was more beautiful than any I had ever seen.

Yet flames eventually extinguish.

The small blue flame on my hand vanished like an illusion, leaving nothing behind.

“Hmm.”

Now I have a rough idea of my level.

Due to my trait, the power might be strong, but that’s about it.

With a mana core of limited capacity, using a few more skills here will definitely lead to exhaustion.

Not even fatigue, what’s this?

How much did you power up to become a boss, Bern?

Respect. Bern.

First things first.

“Increase the capacity of my stamina and mana core.”

Let’s start with a run.