episode_0012

This place is a world in the game and reality.

It’s a world similar to the unbalanced game 〈Savior〉.

In reality, there are towers and dungeons, magic, and unique abilities.

It’s a world in the game where it’s possible to overturn a city with one’s own power.

But at the same time, it’s also reality.

Inclined, a third-rank monster appeared in the capital of China, causing millions of people to die, and that vast land was left to be poisoned.

If one dungeon in the city where people were living their daily lives explodes, hundreds of people may foolishly die.

Due to the influence of a single monster, an entire continent can be turned into a wasteland.

If you just keep looking at the game, the day will come when you will suffer.

This is not a place where routes are rigidly determined like a game. It’s a world where my choices create countless possibilities.

If there are 100 people, there are 100 different lives.

Thinking of those who have their own lives as mere NPCs is a great misconception and a rude thought.

I’m sure I reflected on this morning.

I was convinced that this thought would bring about unfavorable results for my future, and I vowed not to make hasty judgments based on knowledge of games or the like in the future.

People are simple yet complex… it’s hard to judge them.

“Would you like some candy?”

A voice interrupting my thoughts came from right next to me. Hong Yeon-hwa, who was sitting next to me, hesitated and then reached out her hand.

There was candy in her palm. The luxurious packaging, rarely seen, was impressive.

This must be very expensive candy.

[Thank you]

I received the candy. I was about to put it in my pocket, but for a moment, my body stiffened under Hong Yeon-hwa’s gaze.

It was a somewhat tense… trembling gaze directed at the candy she was holding.

‘Um…’

Still, it felt ambiguous to stuff a gift into my pocket, so I opened the packaging and put it in my mouth. Of course, I couldn’t taste anything.

As I put the candy in my mouth and rolled it around, Hong Yeon-hwa’s anxious expression brightened at first. It was a dramatic change that anyone could notice.

‘…….’

The surrounding gazes were piercing. They seemed like those longing for an impossible miracle.

Bae Arin turned her body to face this way and blinked her eyes. Her wide-open mouth looked dumbfounded.

Could she make such an expression? It’s incredibly fascinating.

Hong Yeonhwa is someone who, even if only for a moment, held my biggest prejudice.

Unlike the original, I knew that her personality was not just fiery, impulsive, and dirty.

I also understand that she is not someone to be afraid of or avoid at all costs.

I also understand that if she has done wrong, she knows how to ask for forgiveness and bow her head.

I understand…

“Is it delicious? It’s the kind I particularly enjoy.”

[Yes. It’s delicious.]

“Really? I bought quite a few in advance, should I send you some?”

Why are you leaving Bae Arin in front of you and sitting next to me?

Why sit next to me, glance furtively, and flinch at every one of my actions?

Why, with a nervous face, do you hand me candy, brighten up when I take it, ask if it’s good, and then twinkle your eyes and offer more? … I still don’t know.

If she had met people, wouldn’t Hong Yeonhwa have known the reason for her current behavior?

With belated regret, I remembered the internet friend who had finally managed to get a word in edgewise.

Agaphantus: Go outside and do something

Me: I don’t want to

Agaphantus: Are you going to stay cooped up at home all year long? Get some sunlight, feel the breeze, and meet people. Huh? You need to meet people.

Me: I don’t want to

Agaphantus: Oh, you stubborn child. It’s genuine advice out of concern. You can’t live your whole life on the internet.

Me: I’ll think about it

Agaphantus. The internet friend who somehow ended up contacting me a little.

Go outside, meet people, always staying holed up at home, that’s why you’re so unsociable, come out and I’ll buy you food, etc…

It was as if they had become some sort of guardian, meddling here and there.

That friend’s advice suddenly struck me now.

‘I should have gone out a bit…’

I didn’t expect that the recluse who said they didn’t want to meet people and that being alone was the most comfortable and enjoyable would turn out like this.

– Drdrdr

At that moment, the front door of the classroom opened. Thanks to my spatial awareness, I already knew.

My current spatial awareness includes a version with a 100m radius and color. Now, it doesn’t interfere with my daily life; rather, I’m in a favorable position.

Not being able to see and having a weak body, it’s conscience-pricking to receive special treatment.

This is much better visual condition than an average person.

In reality, isn’t she practically a fashion-disabled person? While receiving sympathetic looks as a person with disabilities, the truth is that she has better conditions than an average person…

So I told Hong Yeon-hwa that there was nothing uncomfortable for her, but even though I said it felt really good, her attitude didn’t change.

From Hong Yeon-hwa’s perspective, am I a fragile person who wouldn’t be bothered if I died at any time?

Anyway, thanks to her, the attention that was focused on this side immediately turned towards the front door.

Clack clack, the sound of high heels echoed. After teasing her long legs a few times, it was easy for her to get up on the platform.

The one who came in was a woman with striking green eyes.

Are all the mysterious people in this world walking around in reversed robes? That woman is also wearing a large robe.

Standing in front of the lectern, she glanced around the classroom once and smiled broadly.

From the moment the front door opened, the murmuring disappeared. It was because of the extraordinary momentum she exuded.

“Hello? I’m Rianna Belrus, the professor in charge of the Spring Equinox and the basic spirit lecture~”

Contrary to her unassuming demeanor, her bright voice filled the classroom.

As the professor revealed her name, a small murmur spread around.

Keywords: Spirit Master, retirement, African Ma’at.

I know her too.

Rianna Belrus. A supporting character occasionally seen in the Academy Ma’at field, remembered for her top-tier association certification.

Being a top-tier hero, she’s a world-class expert capable of battling 3rd rank monsters.

At the level of 3rd rank, causing the destruction of a city is nothing… one can somewhat grasp how monstrous her abilities are.

“Her hero rank is 297th! Even so, she’s within the top 0.1% in terms of ability!”

She’s not yet at the top tier?

Well, she needs to surpass the second year at the latest to go to African Ma’at. Two years should be enough for things to change.

At the professor’s introduction, the students’ eyes sparkled.

No one was disappointed by her being top-tier instead of the highest tier.

The association operated by the top rulers of space and harmony classifies the grades of superhumans based on achievements such as monster subjugation, etc.

The six grades are top, high, upper-mid, mid-low, low, and lowest.

I remember that the top grade is less than 300 people worldwide, and the high grade is barely 30,000.

There were about 5 million heroes worldwide.

Among them, he is a high-grade superhuman, ranking within the top 300.

As a professor of Siyoram, it is more than enough, even overflowing with qualifications.

“It’s inevitable to be tired from the morning, but we have to do what we have to do, right? I’m sure you’ve all seen the academic schedule notice, but I will explain it myself according to the procedure.”

Despite being a rookie, she was skillfully leading the students’ reactions.

“This semester is called ‘Free Semester,’ right? It’s a period where you can take various classes regardless of your major or field.”

“I saw the notice, but I don’t quite understand.”

“That’s why I’m explaining it to you!”

Not understanding, a male student asked a question, and Professor Riana, pointing her finger as if to say “You did well,” added an explanation.

“In short, even if a student specializing in close combat takes magic-related classes, it’s not a big problem.”

Free Semester.

It’s a term I’ve heard on Earth before.

Literally, it means a period where you can take all kinds of classes regardless of your major.

There are several reasons for the creation of the Free Semester.

For those like me who entered based solely on potential but have not yet narrowed down their career path.

Even if you have decided on a career path, there is also the intention to check if there might be untapped potential, and it was also set up to expand one’s perspective by taking various classes.

In short, it means to try out various things.

For someone like me who possesses the unique ability of being a jack-of-all-trades, it’s a welcome task.

“During the Free Semester, you will attend general classes in the morning according to your grade, and specialized classes in the afternoon according to your grade.”

The professor’s explanation was exactly as it was originally set up.

In the morning, there are general classes by class, and in the afternoon, you take specialized classes according to your admission grades.

Siyoram divides students into three categories: ‘basic,’ ‘skilled,’ and ‘advanced’ based on their admission grades.

The level of the class increases in the order of basic, skilled, and advanced.

There is no need to be angry just because it’s the basic level. If you have the skills, you can move up to the top half through the test.

Also, it’s not a level where you can just fill in the basics roughly. It’s true that the level of the lectures for the basics is top-notch compared to other classes.

Special admissions students start from the basic class. The newcomers recommended based on potential are the same.

It’s not right to push those who haven’t learned properly into skilled or advanced levels.

“Phew… That’s the end of the announcement!”

Professor Liana, who explained the long academic schedule, exam schedule, the time to enter the Tower of Growth, and the rules that first-year students should know without a break for tens of minutes, let out a deep sigh.

The time was further delayed due to occasional questions.

“The free semester for first-year students is especially known for its rigorous lectures, right? Let’s endure it! You’ll have more freedom starting next semester!”

Professor Liana, who quickly regained her complexion, smiled mischievously.

“Well, since it’s the first day, I’m sure you all know what to do, right?”

The first day of class. They usually call it an orientation, right?

Anyway, these kinds of events were all random, so it was hard to predict anything from the original work.

But I wasn’t particularly worried.

In the original work, it was just a simple event that ended with a few lines of text.

Even if it didn’t rely on the original setting, it wouldn’t be anything special during the introductory time with the professor, not a general or major lecture.

At most, it was mostly about the overview of the lecture they were in charge of, re-evaluating abilities, checking them, or telling stories from their own school days—

“On the first day, regardless of anything else, it’s self-introduction time! Now, the newcomer sitting at the far right of the front row, come up!”

“Damn?”

Self-introduction.

Introducing oneself, such as one’s name and background, to someone you meet for the first time…

At first, it was perplexing. There was no such event as self-introduction in the original work. I’ve never done a self-introduction, especially in front of so many people.

But upon careful consideration, it wasn’t such a strange thing to introduce oneself. No, it might even be a normal procedure.

As you know, in this industry where connections are extremely important, it might be natural to introduce oneself.

One thing is for sure, I, who had been holed up in a corner of the house, had no right to judge.

“Ha-yul, are you not feeling well?”

“No, I’m fine.”

So there was nothing to be afraid of. There was absolutely no need to feel sick. Just stand at the lectern and briefly mention your name and characteristics.

It’s an incredibly simple task.

While reassuring Hong Yeon-hwa, who expressed concern about her complexion, I adjusted my spatial perception.

Even as I did so, self-introductions continued.

“I am Katsuki Yusei, majoring in combat. I possess unique abilities related to swords. Feel free to ask me anything about swordsmanship.”

Katsuki Yusei, who came flying at the time of the gathering and knocked me out.

“I’m Elia Slayde, majoring in support! Let’s get along well from now on!”

Elia, who seemed to have many friends already, especially with loud applause.

“I’m Baek Arin, majoring in combat~ Currently seeking new friends in real-time!”

Baek Arin, who, despite carrying the weight of an extraordinary family, elicited positive responses from the students with a light-hearted attitude.

Self-introductions continued without any hitches. Although still somewhat awkward, there were occasional jokes, and above all, Professor Reina herself stepped forward to create a gentle atmosphere.

Most of the students’ self-introductions were coming to an end.

“I’m Hong Yeon-hwa, majoring in combat. Let’s get along well from now on.”

The attitude that had been subtly gauging the situation earlier disappeared, and Hong Yeon-hwa finished her self-introduction with a nonchalant air.

In other words, the order eventually reached the Hong Yeon-hwa sitting next to me.

“Now, next! Lee Ha-yul, a new student!”

The soft atmosphere suddenly came to a halt. Silence fell inside the classroom along with various emotions.

*Sigh…*

As I stood up, all eyes turned towards me. Earlier, they were trying to hide their gaze, but now, with a legitimate reason, they were openly staring at me.

I made my way down to the classroom. Professor Reina, who had been standing at the lectern, twinkled her eyes.

It was an expectant gaze.

…I thought there might be some meaning behind the self-introduction, but I began to suspect that perhaps Professor Reina herself was not pursuing that goal.

I stood in front of the lectern. I felt the attention of those looking at me due to my spatial perception.

“……”

For a moment, my throat tightened.

Being the center of attention. I’ve experienced it. In the city, on the subway and bus, at the gate terminal, in commercial districts for daily necessities, even at welcome parties.

All eyes were on me. All the attention was focused on me. I’ve received countless requests for handshakes at welcome parties. I skillfully avoided being persuaded to drink together by making excuses.

I can’t run away now. It’s not even the typical Busan atmosphere. In the silence where even the sound of swallowing saliva can be heard, I have to speak.

An indescribable pressure weighed down on my whole body. My head was spinning.

The corners of my mouth trembled.

Swallowing dry saliva, I opened my mouth.

“An─”

“─nyeo, cough! Kkeuk, ggeug…! Keung, keungkeung…!”

“Hayul!?”

“Keung, keung…!”

Ah, damn it.

The curse of silence.