"You—"

Victoria was about to ask something but a voice cut their conversation.

There appears approaching them, an older woman with brown hair tied in messy buns.

The face is familiar.

Oh. Right. The one who scolded and kicked them out earlier.

[ Madam Zero, Random Enemy Mob ]

Elijah tilted his head, scanning the sight of the infamous headmaster and the title given by the system interface.

'Pft, random enemy... not even a boss... just a mob'

In the original story, Madam Zero had been the picture-perfect, diligent headmaster. The type who cared deeply about her academy.

But then she met the protagonist.

The Protagonist is the thorn in her side. Always knowing everything and questioning every movement of hers. Eventually getting annoyed by his interference.

Just like those "strong supporting characters who inexplicably lose their minds due to jealousy," she eventually joined the enemy's side and met a predictably gruesome end.

Serves her right.

Classic.

Cliche.

Repetitive plot.

Yet readers like it when there are a lot of annoying characters. After all, it was satisfying to see them fall.

It doesn't matter if the antagonist randomly hated someone just for their guts. As long it works, it works.

That's what comes into Elijah's mind when he creates Madam Zero's character.

Madam Zero stared at them for a long moment, before asking.

"What are you two doing here? It's dangerous. Evacuate immediately."

Elijah perked up.

Finally, a sensible suggestion.

"Nice idea! Totally agree! Let's evacua-"

But, of course, Victoria wasn't about to let logic win the day.

"Madam Zero!" she spoke, stepping forward. "Allow me to join the battle!"

Elijah froze, blinking.

'Uwahhh, as expected of a candidate female lead' he thought, the corners of his mouth kept on twitching.

So brave!

So heroic!

So...

ew...

Why did he write her character like that?

Oh well. He had no intention of getting involved.

Nope.

All he needed to do was take a few steps back, let Victoria play the part of a heroic fool, and watch the chaos unfold from a safe distance.

Like any sane audience member.

Alas, life had other plans.

"So, you two wish to join the operation?" Madam Zero asked.

Elijah opened his mouth to protest. "No, I—"

"Yes!" Victoria interjected, cutting him off without hesitation.

He froze mid-sentence, staring at her with a look that screamed.

'Why am I included?!'

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Very well," Madam Zero continued, not even waiting for him to recover. "The two of you will team up with others. Your participation will be considered your first exam."

"Yes, ma'am!" Victoria chirped enthusiastically, practically pleased on her decision.

Meanwhile, Elijah, timidly raised his hand like a kid trying to avoid being called on in class.

"Um… excuse me," he whispered. "How about my opinion? Hello? Anyone?"

His plea went unnoticed.

"Good," Madam Zero said with a curt nod. "It's nice to see such passion for exterminating the Nightmares. Off you go."

No one listened to him. Of course.

*****

"Sir Dohwun, we must evacuate!"

"No... I must do this..."

The silver-haired man whispered as his grip on the silver sword trembled.

His light blue eyes flickered, staring ahead at the shadowy shapes forming before him—three monstrous spider-like entities.

With every swing of his blade, shards of frost trailed behind, forming fleeting ice flowers in the air.

As the blade strikes, a barrage of crystalline arrows is sent, piercing one spider monster and scattering it into nothingness.

But for every one monster he felled, another emerged from the bottom ground.

Breathing heavily, Dohwun turned to the two students behind him.

"Leave. Now. I'll hold them off while you escape."

"Sir Dohwun..."

"I'll be alright."

The two students hesitated, exchanging worried glances. They wanted to protest, but eventually, they nodded.

Reluctantly, they turned and ran, casting one last anxious glance over their shoulders before vanishing through the stadium's exit.

And then, he was alone

Dohwun's grip on his sword tightened. His breath came in ragged gasps, the icy mist of his sword swirled around him.

'Dren… I wonder what you felt when you were in this situation…'

A memory surged forth.

The lifeless golden eyes of his younger brother. White hair stained crimson blood. A sweet voice he could no longer hear.

'If I had just arrived sooner… would I have ended up saving you?'

Swing after swing, his strikes grew more erratic.

As his carousel of thoughts lingered in his mind, carrying a heavy regret.

'Maybe… maybe I should just join you…'

The shadows surged forward, their clawed limbs were raised to strike him down.

Dohwun closed his eyes, bracing himself for the bitter end.

But the blow never came.

Instead, a sharp whistle pierced the air, followed by the unmistakable thud of an arrow sinking into flesh.

Dohwun's eyes snapped open in time to see one of the shadowy creatures collapse, a glowing green arrow protruding from its center.

"Hey! Are you okay?!"

He turned to see a yellow-haired woman with emerald eyes, her arrows and bow were still raised as she prepared another shot.

Beside her, a tanned man with dark blue hair sauntered lazily into view, yawning as though he'd just woken from a nap.

"We're here to help!" the woman added cheerfully.

Dohwun blinked, stunned by their sudden appearance.

'Help?'

*****

Nightmares.

A long time ago when humanity received the blessings of so-called 'Magic', it also brought the corrupted side which was called 'Nightmares'.

These beings appear like the smoke of black and shadow figures, often taking the form of what symbolizes its essence the most.

The stronger the essence, the stronger the nightmare is.

From the Prologue it appeared as a Wolf, and right now, it appears as a spider.

In the original plotline, the academy went without any issue at all.

The only thing progressive there is the appearance of Victoria and the route of romance between her and the main protagonist, Dren.

However...

___________

System:

Chapter 1 Submitted. (The event is currently ongoing)

Unique Skill: Author

Affinity: Null.

The author has the ability to rewrite a chapter once. However, he cannot rewrite the chapter if it is already ongoing or the event is already finished. Additionally, he cannot directly rewrite, control, or influence the characters that already exist inside the novel.

___________

Ever since Elijah transmigrated into his own novel, he discovered he had the ability to manipulate the plot—

Albeit, only under certain conditions.

In the prologue, he simply increases the difficulty of the scenario.

Why? Simple. He wanted to test his own creation. If the protagonist managed to survive the chaos, the story would continue as planned.

But, alas, reality—or perhaps fiction—wasn't so forgiving.

The protagonist didn't make it. He died, tragically and miserably.

Did Elijah blame himself? Absolutely not! The protagonist's failure was his own doing.

Why should Elijah feel guilty? After all, he was tired of writing overpowered protagonists who magically gained abilities without ever putting in a single effort.

Did they really think it's just about willpower?

No. People die. Even protagonists are not immune to the claws of death. Fiction may bend the rules, but it doesn't erase them in reality.

This is the story he had always wished to create.

After testing the protagonist who failed, he wanted to test someone next.

[ Dohwun Winterhold, The Side-Character ]

In the main plot, Dohwun is introduced as the older brother of the protagonist.

He was the heir of the Winterhold family, A genius in the affinity of Ice. Even though he was already a genius, he never neglected his training.

His younger brother, Dren was considered the black sheep of the family, unable to use their own art. However after the protagonist gains a unique skill, everything changes.

All spotlight turned to his younger brother instead. Leaving Dohwun conflicted and started developing insecurities.

No matter what hard work Dohwun tried to catch up with his brother, he never attained that.

Eventually, he ends up sacrificing himself to protect his younger brother. As he believes, that is the only useful thing he can do.

But right now, the plot changes. Dren is dead.

Thus, Elijah has a bold idea.

'He will make Dohwun the new Main Character of this story'.

However, he wanted to test him first. If 'He' is qualified to be the 'Queen' in his chess pieces.

So, once again, Elijah rewrote the story and molded it for his character development.

And the result...

Didn't disappoint him.

The resignation in his eyes. The weakness of his thoughts. The fear in his grip.

Everything is flawed compared to the usual Main Characters trending in most novels.

But that's what he needs, something that makes Elijah feel alive watching.

'Dohwun Winterhold, I'll mold you as the perfect protagonist'.