Proofreader: Future Me

I knew it, they couldn’t create a special room without proper notice. But yet again, it was another protagonist: Fen Castelle. He would have been the character I played next to achieve the dual-wielding archetype.

His charming face put a damper on my mood, coupled with unique eyes and perfectly styled blonde hair, he truly was the enemy of average looking guys.

“Nice to meet you too- tch.”

My hand was being crushed.

“…” He gave an intense but expecting look.

Dammit, he was such a guy.

“Hmph-“ I activated enhancement and squeezed out as much power as possible.

We locked eyes as time ticked by, with my hand feeling like it would be crushed any second.

“Oooo- Seems you do deserve some credit! Sorry for that, let's get along- okay?”

“Y- yeah sure.”

From what I had seen back then, he respected not only personality but strength too, just with a flair of cheekiness. Dealing with his shenanigans was just the beginning.

“Luke, right?”

“Hmm?” I questioned Fen, “You know my name?”

“Well, I was told I had a last-minute roommate, and you’re number one on the written exam!”

I forgot about that.

“I was about to head off for class, so I’ll show you the way.”

“We're in the same class?” It hadn’t shown on my face, but I was struck with grief.

“Yup. I was told this class was a bit special though, can’t wait to check it out!”

We talked along the way there, where I would be met with the biggest building.

“The Golden Nest.”

The name naturally came out of my mouth, it was a place meant for particularly special students. The platinum generation of heroes, or so it was called.

“You know its name?” Fen looked at me oddly.

“Yeah…”

I could recall the hundreds of hours in this place haunting me even now.

We entered the one classroom in the single hallway, meeting the faces of the entire main cast and protagonists. Along with the star five, only a few out of the main cast were placed in this class.

In all honesty, my favourite character was here too, Erin Villaine.

“You two are just on time, choose your seats,” A familiar voice rang from the teaching podium.

It was now clear to me.

I was placed among the ‘platinum ones’ by the dragon teacher. It was a bit saddening Julia wasn’t here though.

I sat down in the far back corner next to a potted plant, the only safe place here.

“Now, you all may have seen me already, but I am Runalia, the direct aide of the Great Hero. I will act as your homeroom teacher for the rest of your years at this school. Are there any questions?”

“Vice Headmaster, whe- when will we be able to decide our clas- classes?” Uriel stuttered.

I forgot that this protagonist fell under the shy category.

“The end of this week. You all must pay special attention to the classes organised, as to choose what is core to your being. Is that all?”

I couldn’t help but feel in the wrong place with all these protagonists.

“Professor, is it alright if I remain in such an esteemed class?”

Stares from around the room locked onto me, some with curiosity, some with confusion and some with irritation.

“Hmph. That question may be taken as an insult toward our selection progress, and if you wish for that not to be the case, then accept it.”

I witnessed the twitch of her lip as she spoke, this cursed dragon wanted me here.

“I… apologise,” I spoke in bated breath until I realised this would make my priorities easier.

“I will now explain the basics of the ‘Garden of Heroes.’”

Thus, the unstoppable three-minute introduction would play…

Essentially it explained how courses were prepared for us in particular, where we would explore what was to be offered, in which we would select our preferred options by the end of the week. As well as the open facilities open during the day after classes are over.

“Then that is all, there will be a timetable provided as you all exit the room. And, for the first class, you will all be undertaking ‘General Combat.’”

“I hope to see you all well tomorrow.”

Footsteps rushed outside the large class at the sound of her words. Although, Serina remained behind staring at me.

“Is there something you… require?” I asked carefully.

Once again expressionless, she answered with a plain, “No.”

“Then can you stop staring?” It was heart racing, for the wrong reason.

“…” A frown was drawn as she stood up.

I watched her leave the classroom in silence, leaving just the dragon and myself. There was still silence, and her eyes that bore into me suggested I speak.

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“So- Runalia, why am I here?”

Her face immediately turned all smiley, telling me, “You see, I was sure you’d be able to do well! Definitely!”

I had no words, all other classes besides the platinum generation as the game called them, could choose their courses without delay. I would have been able to collect some hidden goodies along the way.

This is why I hated the introductory phase of the game, it wasted a week getting you started. Couldn’t skip it either, as it contained plot-sensitive choices.

“Yeah- thanks…”

“Oh, by the way, the combat class is directly across from here, so don’t get lost!”

She saw me and didn’t help earlier?

“You-“

“Goodbye, and good luck!”

She left before I could say anything.

-x-

Along with the main cast of characters, and the five protagonists, we had all grouped up in a massively sized room. Could you even call it a room?

I muttered, “Fuck, of course it’s this guy.”

Our professor stood in front, his arms crossed, with a piece of grass sticking out of his mouth. He fit the aloof samurai aesthetic, but he was truly insane. Why would he show up now of all times?

“Hmmm?” The man looked at me with an indescribable expression for only a moment.

It was an arena spanning across a full yard, it was completely over the top in person.

“The name’s Haruto, nice to see ya kiddos. I’m your instructor and well, today you’re all gonna fight me.”

In an instant, someone interjected to his unreasonable demand.

“Sir, is it not appropriate to begin with assessing our abilities through orthodox practices?

The princess among us stood out as the most concerned. Not for herself, but the teacher, as per her belief.

‘Rookie mistake.’

“Ah Princess Luna, the thing is… if you are all in this place, then it’s only a given right?”

“Understood,” Her face hardened, but no one could go against the authority of the Great Hero’s employees.

Haruto wasn’t supposed to be teaching this class. But, with the inclusion of five protagonists, he probably realised it too…

The infinite possibilities of destruction left in the world.

Haruto was only supposed to act once the world entered chaos-

Oh fuck. This is bad.

With five protagonists, the five main antagonists also exist. This man would work his ass to raise us to fight against such perils, but how would he work around the constant pressure of love among these puberty-stricken teens?

Nothing may have happened now, but it kicks into high gear quickly. And I’m going to have to work around it, or they won’t grow strong enough...

For now, I think I’ve crushed the Runalia route due to her current interest in me, along with Julia’s. Serina seems a lot different, but it doesn’t change the possibility of a rose-filled youth.

“Yo, you over there with a salty face, why don’t you come up first?”

He flicked his finger toward the hero’s relative, garnering a nasty frown. They seized up one another respectively.

“Doesn’t matter if you’re the instructor, I’ll rip you apart.”

‘Holy fuck, shut up dude. Edginess has its limits.’

“Hahaha! Feisty- but unfortunately that won’t cut it.”

Immediately Haruto drew the katana resting at his waist, leaving no time to spare.

“What the- GAHH!”

A sword arc’s silhouette was faintly visible as Mark fell helplessly.

“The hero’s relative is unable to react to even that? I feel sorry for our dear Abel!”

The students beside me were unable to witness the speed of the attack. It’s fair, considering this man is the final bastion of the academy.

“I couldn’t even see what happened!” Fen exclaimed joyfully, “I’ll have a crack at it!”

He leapt forward from the crowd, drawing his longsword with both hands. The speed was faster than what I could muster.

However, he was only to be met with an elbow to his side, as Haruto manoeuvred around his confrontation.

Fen grasped his stomach coughing out bodily fluids.

‘I’m terrified,’ Summed up my current thought process.

“Oooh, great form, but too honest! Next!”

“Yes, professor.”

It was the princess from earlier, but her expression indicated disbelief rather than admiration. She was quite a stubborn girl, causing all kinds of shenanigans, especially when she got jealous.

From her hands sprouted four magic circles, each of one element, fire, water, earth, and wind. Essentially, she was the sage of the game, but her personality needed a lot of intervention.

“Promising mage, just to be expected from Alexander’s bloodline!”

He drew his katana once more, utilising his special breathing technique. The air tensed up immediately as he moved his arms, the breaths he created illuminated in a strange bluish colour. A special form of aura and mana collided together, to form ‘Ki’, as he called it, to attack his enemies.

That was a definite need for my dual swords, an unexpected benefit of the messed-up story line.

“How is that possible?” I could hear the ramblings of Erin, another heroine of this world.

She was standing somewhat close to me, with her glistening black hair tied in a ponytail. I loved her character design, as well as that personality that developed uniquely in each story.

In short, she was my favourite.

“The thing is, he used a completely different methodology of producing power. Ki, he calls it,” I whispered a response to her.

Her eyes opened wide as she realised a small extent of his power.

“Interesting…”

“Mhm, now that he’s blown apart the princess’s magic, we’re probably gonna need to be careful.”

“Huh?” Erin’s face scrunched up at my warning.

“He’s a good person, but… he has a few screws loose.”

Whoosh!

“What is this wind!?” She screamed among the blasting pressure sent toward us.

Haruto had clapped his hands together, producing a shockwave that could blow us all away. Luckily, he did it from the end of the yard.

“Try and survive this, kids!”

While some despaired and some maintained composure, namely Lisanna the current strongest, this was all a simple opportunity for me. It was the perfect chance to try enhancement, to see if it would improve concepts and not pure physicality.

I wanted to enhance pure forces of energy.

To enhance the force of gravity upon myself, and lay down on the floor from a distance.

I pulled Erin down on the floor, despite her initial resistance, “Trust me.”

“I’ll kill you myself if you die from this,” She lipped the words due to the explosive sounds approaching.

Now! Enhance!

Ding! I heard the sound of a notification ring, but there was no time to react.

“Ugh-“ The increased gravity pushed down on the both of us. It was uncomfortable but bearable.

She managed to tilt her head to look me in the eyes, with a slight anger burning in them.

Well, it was here now. The approaching wind of destruction, I just hope the internet didn’t lie.

Boom!

Grass fluttered as the invisible reaper of death passed by us.

“Phew,” I disabled my enhancement with a breath of air, “I told you, trust me.”

We held a moment of eye contact, in which the previous anger was released.

“What power was that?” She took no moment to ask.

“Trade secret.”

“We’re classmates, it would only be normal.”

“There are princes and princesses here, I don’t think it’s a normal class, to begin with.”

Her eyes regained the fire from earlier, whoops.

“Alright, alright, sorry.” I leaned in before telling her, “I seriously can’t tell you though.”

I’m not in the mood to serve as a demon’s support dog. Literally, she’s the daughter of the previous demon king.

She sported a sour look, “Then, the favour I owe for that help is invalid.”

“Wha-“

She left my side and began to regroup among the other recovering students. Her ego would be a wall to get past especially if I wanted her help with some later events. I’ll also have to stop the flag of Fen or Rodney bumping into her by the fourth period.

I had to deal with all the initial romantic events in the first week and destroy any hopes of kindling relationships. My knowledge of the other protagonist’s romance extends only to that much.

Furthermore, Luna’s interaction with Ash may occur and lead to a whole mess, and it's right after this class…

I’ll have to work my ass off today, that's for sure.