Proofreader: Future Me

In the game, only one protagonist existed at a time, all with their unique storylines, arch enemies, and resolutions.

So why? Why are they all here?!

The only way this situation could exist was within the confines of…

Fuck.

It genuinely was Hell’s Paradise, a sadistic game mode in which the developers had introduced random elements to throw the story out of a coherent mess. There had been forums of having two demon lords messing with the play through, fighting the great hero Abel turned evil, to even joining outer space aliens. It was essentially an event randomiser.

In such a modifier, the only help given was that the randomised element would be made clear in the introduction.

But this...

This is unprecedented.

“Why are you standing there? You have an exam to do?” Even though I was currently contemplating my life, a teacher had shoved me into the examination classroom. Placed in front of me were the exam papers, and to my relief, had the same look as in the game.

“Now, you students have exactly three hours to answer all these questions. Write your names and begin!”

Three? Give me half or just one, that’s all I need. I picked up the pen on the desk and began zooming through all the questions.

‘How was holy magic integrated into human society?’

‘What habitat would fit the Behemoth most?’

‘Formulate an equation, then a magic circle that would emulate the spell fireball.’

It was all too easy. My entrance exams were harder than this. As I approached the end of the stack of papers within less than an hour, I received a suspicious glare from the examiner.

Finally, I reached the end and raised my hand.

“Professor, I’ve finished the exam.”

He leered at me with an almost frustrated expression, “You may hand it in here. Go outside and rest in the lobby at the academy’s entrance until you hear the announcements.”

I felt the conflicted glare of other students furiously writing down answers. Not like I cared, they should focus on passing.

Moving on, I followed the signs on the doors leading me to the place I had awakened.

Now I could get the first available hidden item. It wasn’t inherently powerful, but definitely made life easier for veterans and noobs alike. Especially since this world now had FIVE protagonists, it would only be natural to take advantage of everything I could.

[Enigmatic Chance] was its name, taking the shape of the normal academy brooches they provide when you pass. It had the effect of allowing massive multiplicative damage if one could hit a ‘weak spot’ of the target. It varies from enemy to enemy, but I fortunately figured out most of them. Secondly, at a certain point in the game you could unlock its hidden ability to boost growth by two times.

I had to have it at all costs.

Luckily, for now I could ignore the matter of five protagonists until tomorrow when the students are instantly accepted or rejected. Their romance routes wouldn't immediately lead to the world's end after all.

The acquisition of the item had the requirement of finishing the exam before the three-hour mark, due to time constraints. You needed about an hour going back and forth from its location after all. It was hidden under a podium at the graveyard of heroes behind the academy. And this place was almost as large as a city back on Earth.

I began my journey without delay, I had less than two hours to move. I moved past gardens, hills, buildings, and senior students just to arrive. Thankfully my high Vitality was at the level of athletes, which saved me the part of sweating my life force out. Yet strangely enough, I found myself almost lost quite a few times, but certain landmarks had reminded me of the direction.

In the end, the graveyard had finally reached my sight which stood many podiums with statues of heroes laying on top. The one I needed was the only empty podium on this site.

Whoosh!

Feeling the wind pass by me, an inexplicable pressure had been exuded. Sweat dripped my head as I recognised the entity.

“Student. Why are you here? Aren’t the exams happening at the moment? It’s pretty far from here.”

I almost froze. Calvin Hughes, the head of security. I had no idea why he was here, but I had to tell the truth. He had a particularly annoying ability.

“The thing is, Professor Calvin, erm- I finished the Written Exams early.”

“Hmmm. I can see you aren’t lying about that,” He nodded his bald head, “But that doesn’t explain why you’re here, far from the lobby.”

I had to twist my words while maintaining an element of truth. And, because I’m a reincarnator I have an idea.

“I apologise sir, but I have heard of Grave of Heroes for a while now and I genuinely was interested in seeing the figures of the fallen heroes myself. I hope to pay my respects to the saviours of our world.”

“I see…”

Hopefully, he detected truths rather than lies.

“Is it possible?” I asked politely one last time.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I guess I can let you off the hook. I’m being called and feeling generous, so take good luck in your prayer,” He put a sly emphasis on his parting sentence.

‘Thank goodness he bought it.‘

That lie-detecting ability of his was a wall to many paths without ample preparation.

After confirming his absence, I began moving to the lonely podium which stood out the most. I always felt bad for being all alone at the start, though it would eventually fill out…

I shoved it off the ground and opened a musty trap door, instantly creating a smile on my face.

[Enigmatic Chance] (Z)

* Remains from the ancient foundations of the academy.

* It will transform into a brooch befitting the owner.

* ‘Weak Points’ are formed on enemies, taking the shape of red dots in vision. Hitting these ‘Weak Points’ will massively multiply damage.

* [Sealed Ability]

“Haha! Let's go, jackpot!”

I stuffed it inside the pockets of my academy uniform, as it transformed into an academy-styled accessory with ‘my’ face on it.

“I wonder…”

I had no idea about the Luke character, I don’t remember seeing him in the game. And from the looks of it, I’m not receiving or remembering any memories besides my own…

But, there wouldn’t be any progress either if I chose to sit and dawdle. I needed to make my way back to the lobby.

-x-

After returning, it seemed more and more people had finished either exam. Not too long after, the lobby was full to the brim.

“You have an hour of rest!” The magically projected voice had told us, leading many more pouring from the insides.

I tried peering over the crowd searching for prominent faces, only to meet my recent acquaintance.

She tapped my shoulder, “Commoner, is that you?”

“You are the marquess girl right?” I smirked while asking.

“Hah?” Her face was priceless, "Forgotten already?"

“I’m kidding, Julia de Gracia wasn’t it?”

“You dare forget a no- Ahem. I see you’re sitting alone, so I shall join you.”

She dismissed my joke and sat beside me, a suspicious behaviour that contradicted her supposed noble demeanour.

“That’s just an excuse because you have no friends isn’t it?”

“Geh- you may be right. However, to say that to a lady such as I- displays a lack of etiquette.”

“But I’m a commoner, o- great Julia de Gracia, I have no knowledge in such matters.”

“Stop embarrassing me, you- argh!” Her face scrunched up in frustration.

Even though we were simply chatting, I was keeping my eye on the protagonists. I unfortunately had no idea of what could happen due to these new developments. I’d have to adapt and use knowledge from scrolling countless youtube videos and forums from boredom. Including the “Ancient History” class, which had a special feature where depending on certain events, could predict the future of one’s route.

The protagonists had all split up into respective groups. Besides Serina, who was alone, gone from the group she would have found in the game.

She alone acted differently.

Fen for one is in his place with Charles von Garrett the son of the Empire’s King, and they seemed to be having close talks. As expected, just like their parents, they were good friends. Surprisingly, Rodney and Uriel were among a group of priests and seemed to be an uptight religious group. Though they were talking to their set supporting cast, as per the game.

Similar to Serina, Ash Walker the elf had been isolated due to his race not being common among these lands. Although from the looks of the students, there are many who wish to talk to him.

Unfortunately one of the five was different, and it had to be the one I played. Serina is definitely the biggest change, as she had originally been a part of a duke’s faction from the Empire.

“Hah…” I sighed knowing it would not be smooth sailing from now on. There would be no one to one storyline to follow, as compared to the novels with reincarnators taking advantage of everything.

They had to deal with the butterfly effect, whereas I had to deal with chaos from the very beginning.

“Luke? Is our conversation lacking in interest?” She seemed confused but had a concerned expression.

It was also the first time she addressed me by name. Thinking about her personality made me question such a shift in tone. Was she lonely? She had the ability to talk to people, but no one talked to her. It was as if she was a plague.

“No, I was just thinking about something, like- why do people avoid you?”

“…”

Her face sank in moments. I struck a landmine, didn't I?

“You don’t have to answer that, it’s fine.”

“Well- I uh. You- you deserve to know, as a person who speaks to me without prejudice, despite being a commoner.”

A blush of embarrassment became clear.

“Then hit me with it.”

“Hit- you?” It seemed my slang didn’t come across well.

“Er- it’s a bit of lingo from my village.”

“Okay… My family is doing fine, but there have been rumours speculating connections to the previous Demon King’s army. Simply, it has been nothing but rough.”

“Rough?” I pushed for elaboration.

“Heh," A shallow laugh escaped her mouth. "Who would make friends with the collaborators of your worst enemy?”

Ah, wait a minute. I remember now.

Julia De Gracia, she was a sad child in that despite her talents, the stigma surrounding her family destroyed her ability to make friends. As an academy for heroes, anyone would avoid a potential enemy.

In contrast, the game’s community deemed her as a sub heroine and many had romanced her. However, she would always die in the end, with no one able to save her despite all their efforts.

...

Maybe... I could give it a go. But!

Let’s play a little, shall we?

“Trauma dump?" I looked down at her, "Nah I’m good.”

Her face expressed horror, “Excuse me?”

“You heard me, I’m done. Let’s not meet again.”

“Wai- no, I’m sorry for deceive-“

In a swift movement I flicked her forehead, “I’m kidding you know.”

“Muuuu! You filthy commoner!” She started smacking my arm with tears forming in her eyes, finally escaping her facade of a prim and proper noble.

She was funny and peculiar, I regretted not getting involved with her sooner.

Actually, thinking of the story- I’d have to get directly involved with the romance of the protagonists’. It was simply too risky to let their hormones run rampant.

How many times did I die, getting involved with mandatory romance events that messed with progression? If it messes up veterans, it’ll mess up these budding teenagers.

Suddenly an intercom-like voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Thank you for waiting everyone, those who completed the written exam come to this side and those who completed the physical to the other. We will begin the exams shortly.”

Finally, I could get started. Although, I doubt my magic skills could make it past a particular trial. A mana stat of five was pretty low, I could probably only cast a singular fireball before fainting.

Vitality was my only hope it seemed.

We began to move out, but instead of a hallway, there was a field. Specifically, a track field. As such we would have the first section of the exam, a stamina test.

“Here is the Stamina Exam. All that is required is for you to last as long as possible while running.”

This would be my first testament to the pain that came with this world.