Proofreader: My Friend (Has returned.) + Future Me

Twelve instructors faced me all at once, all exuding a menacing aura. They were waiting for my answer which I had already planned out. While I may not be one of the protagonists, the interactions in the game could still be replicated to create a favourable outcome.

Before I replied, I took one last look at everyone else. With what I plan to do, I’ll probably die. Just not in the traditional meaning of it.

Here, I needed to embrace the role that Fen would embody in the game.

I questioned his motives. “According to your words, we would practice in one-on-one sessions. Is that correct?”

”Indeed.” The twenty-four eyes stared daggers through me.

”In that case, have I not won?” I smirked, re-enacting word for word of Fen’s role.

Their faces turned dark, with the looming sense of dread approaching. They marched in unison, and formed a circle around me.

The middle professor stepped forward, “Do you understand what it means to point your sword at a person?”

”To be prepared to face death yourself.” I answered without hesitation, but I was sweating bullets. Facing death for the third time doesn’t make this any less terrifying.

The professors let out a chuckle, almost satisfied with my answer.

“”Then, show me your resolve.””

They all raised their arms into the sky, materialising swords.

Stomp! Stomp!

They advanced toward me inch by inch, radiating death.

This… was a different kind of scary. Compared to the Spirit Queen, this was somehow worse.

They all stood perfectly still as if deliberating a punishment upon me. Their swords pointed all at once as if daring me to move.

If this followed the set dialogue as it did in the game, he should stop millimetres before me.

Right?

Gash!

-x-

Third Person POV

The class remained silent, in fear, due to the course of events unfolding. Within the middle of the field stood eleven burly men, their swords aimed at the centre of their formation.

Uriel’s face turned sour, ‘Is this my last time seeing Luke!? I- I never even got to make it up to him!’

In contrast to the saint’s internal panic, a few individuals kept their wits. Serina expected him to make some sort of calculated move, and Charles simply assessed the situation. Erin and Lisana maintained a clear poker face.

“Are we all just going to watch him die?!” Fen shouted in outrage. ”Huh…?”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Charles tapped him on the shoulder and whispered into his ear, “A professor wouldn’t kill a student, especially in this environment. Keep your head straight, Fen Castelle, knight of the prince.”

”Oooh… Understand!” He immediately regained all his cool and watched with an expectant expression.

On the other side of the dynamic prince and knight, was Mark Cresent, uninterested, as well as the indifferent Vyke who shot daggers at Rodney. Of whom had been patting the saint’s back out of concern.

Separated from the others, Ash Walker watched on with a blank expression. However, his eyes told a different story.

’That boy… claiming to be my friend, surely he wouldn’t die?’

Ash’s isolation drew him toward Luke. What should’ve been Luna’s position was snatched right out of her hands. Her face held a grimace, satisfied at Luke’s confrontation with the professor.

Nonetheless, they all watched on in some form of interest.

Whoosh!

There was no alarm, no alert, no warning. In an instant, the formerly unmoving professors moved with visible blood thirst.

”What…?” Serina’s body radiated with a seething rage unbeknownst to herself.

“No! Nooo!” Uriel desperately reached out for Luke but was blocked by Rodney.

It could’ve been compared to a porcupine. The body left behind had been impaled from all sides, revealing nothing but a sloppy mess of what could be called human. A renewed fear reigned among the remaining students, accentuated by disgust.

”Truly…” Charles raised his eyebrows in a form of displeasure, “How unexpected.”

Mark felt a clinch of unease at the action. “Wasn’t he chosen by the geezer?”

’How horrid,’ Lisana had also thought.

“Huhuhu,” The Princess laughed. “How ignorant, stay dead filthy commoner.”

It was a unanimous feeling amongst them, besides a peculiar one. From their perspectives, it was the end of a fellow student.

-x-

My mind had blanked. There was nothing left in my surroundings except an overwhelming level of void.

“You don’t seem surprised,” A figure noted before me.

It was Bartholomew Floreis, holding me captive in his mental world. I had expected this based on the guide needed to achieve the style of dual-wielding. Yet, despite such knowledge, the process itself was incredibly daunting in person.

”Well, what teacher would kill their student?” I retorted sharply.

”Haha,” He chuckled. “Indeed you make a good point.”

I’ll wake up in extreme pain, but he would’ve experienced the same when I destroyed his clone offshoot, so it was fair. Eye for an eye one would say.

“So, what now?” I asked despite knowing the answer.

“I’m reconstructing your body as we speak,” He nonchalantly told me.

A shiver shook my spine.

”I witnessed your remarkable display of willpower.” Floreis proceeded to make his curiosity clear, “I know you did this for a reason, why don’t you elaborate on it?”

”I’ve been waiting to hear that,” I cleared my throat, “Ahem. There is nothing I desire more than to be taught the way of your sword.”

”How commendable.”

”Hmm?”

“This is the first time I’ve witnessed a student pull off such a stunt, all for simple lessons with me.”

“Your swordsmanship rivals that of the best in the world. And it’s yours alone that I seek to learn from,” I added slyly, “In particular, your knowledge in the true art of dual wielding.”

He paused, gazing at the determination in my eyes.

“We’ll start after the first week of your admission, when you can select your classes,” Floreis swiftly decided.

A smile naturally crept onto my face, thankfully it played out as it did in the tutorials online.

Lights in dots had started to form in this abyss.

”Well, it’s time to wake up,” He reminded me before speaking again, “What is your name?”

”Luke sir, I ask you to please remember it.”

“Yes. Yes I will,” He rubbed his stubby chin with a grin, “Now be on your way.”

The world around me drifted from darkness, revealing a wide sky. For some reason, it felt slightly more colourful than it should be. There were blotches of vibrant colours covering my vision.

”Huh.” I observed the chaos in front of me, “Why are you all here?”