I must be imagining things.

My vision was still dark.

Is this the afterlife? It’s…kind of bleak.

[Please Confirm Y/N]

...What even? Does everyone go through this?

I thought for a minute.

“Yes.”

[Initializing…]

[3]

"Wait, hold up — why is there a countdown?"

[2]

“Is this for real?”

[1]

My vision suddenly brightened.

I opened my eyes, staring at the sky.

“Where…am I?”

I sat up.

Towering above me was a sprawling cityscape, the buildings gleaming with a luminescent sheen. The giant structure before me was adorned with intricate, flowing patterns that seemed to shift and pulse with a subtle, inner light, reflecting the energy coursing through it. Multiple interconnected towers made the building appear even larger than it already was.

I turned my attention back to the ground. The entrance appeared to be a gorgeous plaza with floating gardens and water features that defied gravity. Hovering platforms transported individuals effortlessly across the vast expanse, while transparent walkways connected the towers high above, offering breathtaking views of the area. There was a mixture of people, including what seemed to be students, as they were all wearing the same black-and-white uniforms.

"Isn’t this Silvion Academy? This doesn’t make any sense. How is this possible? Am I in a game? Shouldn’t I be dead?"

There were too many questions racing through my mind. I walked over and sat down on the nearest bench. Right now, I need to recollect my thoughts.

A few minutes passed.

My name is Hien ****. What? My name is Hien ****. My. Name. Is. Hien. ****. Why can’t I remember my full name? Fuck.

This was bad. Very bad. I could only remember my first name.

What else can I remember?

I started to think back to my childhood and everything leading up to this point.

“Phew. It looks like I still have most of my memories.”

This is good. At least I haven’t forgotten my whole life. It’s just too surreal. Why am I not dead? Why am I in Beyond Phantasia? Nothing is making sense. The same questions kept racing through my mind. Hah. This is giving me a headache.

“What would River think about this situation?” I laughed.

Then it crossed my mind. This scenario... aren’t these the stories River kept bringing up? River loved to read and often talked about comics and books where the main characters would go back in time or be transported to another universe. Damn. If only I had taken him up on his offers to read some. I only ever enjoyed reading history.

Let me think. What was River always shouting when we were hanging out?

“Screen.”

Nothing.

“Level.”

Nothing.

“Profile.”

Nothing.

“Windows.”

Nothing.

“Window.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Nothing.

“System.”

Nothing.

I started to receive some weird looks.

“Open sesame.”

Nothing.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue.

This is getting irritating.

“Display.”

Nothing.

“Status.”

==================

— {[Lucien Crow]} — +

Goal: Defeat the Primordial Giant of Destruction

Age: 16

Affinity: ???

Silvion Academy Rank (Year 6864): 4000/4000

Overall Rating: E

Skills:

Jack of All Trades Lvl 1

==================

My face distorted into something unpleasant.

"You’re kidding me. Am I just an NPC? I don’t remember a 'Lucien Crow' in the game."

I sat in silence for a moment.

“Shouldn’t my rating be better? How is this even calculated? Why is affinity stat marked out?”

So, what I understand is that not only am I playing as an NPC with the worst stats in Silvion, but I also have to defeat the final boss of Beyond Phantasia. Not even Novian — the biggest cheat character there is — could beat the boss, and this screen wants me to do it? Is my life being fiddled with?

“No matter how much I think about it, it’s not possible. This skill — Jack of All Trades — is also way too broad, and it could mean I won’t be able to use anything efficiently.”

Tsk.

“Hey, handsome~!”

Huh?

I turned my head left and right. There was no one. I pointed to myself, hoping for some clarification.

The girl threw me a wink before continuing her stride into the academy.

Huh? Me? I was moderately attractive before, but not to the extent that would cause this reaction.

I made my way to one of the floating water ponds. Now, those stares made much more sense. They weren’t staring at me for mumbling, it was this face.

Obsidian black hair.

Amethyst-purple eyes.

A small mole under my right eye that accentuated my looks.

Fair skin.

And…a disgustingly handsome face.

“This is my face? Holy shit. I might be horrendously weak, but this face could cut diamonds. I was astonished. "Although, this body could use a bit more muscle.”

"How did I miss someone like this during my hundreds of playthroughs?"

That was when reality hit me again as I looked at my status.

“I have this face at least.” I sighed.

Ding! Dong! Ding!

A bell rang.

“Freshmen students please make your way to the auditorium!” A man in glasses called out.

Tons of students started to flock through the doors.

“Hah. Alright let’s do this.”

I needed to figure out what’s going on. My solution was relatively simple: progress the storyline. With a determined look, I made my way forwards.

<><><><><>

“Huge.”

I managed to grab a seat close to the stage, receiving some quick glances here and there. The auditorium was enormous, teched out in modern-futuristic aesthetics that gave the room a sleek feel. The game just didn’t do any of this justice once you saw the real thing — or was this even real?

Slap!

“Nope. Very much real.” I said, rubbing my cheek.

A few moments passed, and all four thousand freshmens gathered in the auditorium. The lights dimmed, and a giant spotlight illuminated the center of the stage, where a podium stood. There stood an elderly man who resembled an old sensei.

Vernon Law.

Arguably the strongest technomancer during Novian’s time at the academy, he was known for his proficiency with metal and his impressive muscles beneath those rags. He was a very strong companion who would come to aid Novian from time to time if you chose him as your mentor. In short, he was a powerful ally I would have loved to have as a mentor, but I have someone else in mind. Plus, he dies from… what was it again?

“Ahem.”

Every voice in the auditorium died down.

“Welcome new recruits to Silvion Academy. Here at Silvion, we don’t just raise students, but future soldiers — technomancers — who will defend the universe from Destruction itself. Most of you have been chosen through a rigorous acceptance process, while others have been recommended due to your future potential.”

Hm? Why did it seem like he was looking at me?

Unless? There’s no way. I rummaged through my uniform. There were two ways to be accepted, as Vernon stated. As Novian, this didn't affect your gameplay, but it was a small dialogue choice that would always pop up that I couldn't skip.

Fuck.

An envelope.

I hope this isn’t what I think it is.

I sighed.

I’ll open this when I’m alone.

“...Your training here will be tough, painful, and agonizing. But I promise you, if you work hard, the fruits of your labor will show. Work harder than anyone else. Prove not only to humanity but to the entire universe what it means to be a part of Silvion Academy.”

Vernon rolled up one of his sleeves and flexed his enormous biceps, which looked like they could crush a mountain.

“Remember…the strength of your will is everything here.”

He concluded his speech by raising his flexed arm in the air. The auditorium erupted into a chorus of claps and cheers. Vernon Law was truly something.

“If I remember correctly, those five should be next.”

The cheers and claps settled, and a professor approached the podium.

"We will now introduce the top five candidates of this year's class of 6864, along with your Legacy Star."