Proofreader: Me!

I separated ways with both Erin and Uriel, as they both had their classes to attend. The path to the General Combat class was frivolous, with many different turns and disturbances. In that class, I would meet the instructor Reinhardt Wynnd, a once infamous adventurer known for his demon-slaying epics.

I was psyched to meet such a respected figure in the game, in person. Every person would agree that despite his rough demeanour, he was one of the coolest characters.

The oval’s wide enclosure met my sight alerting me that the class was close. All combat classes would use the oval from time to time, but the General Combat class would use it for everyone. Such a reason was derived from the already present facilities for the other ones, a magic simulation for “Monster and Demon Slaying” had existed after all.

“But, seriously… what is the holdup?” I asked myself, trying to get ahead of the crowd.

I shoved my way through the bodies of students, finding something less than intriguing.

The Hero’s great, great, great… whatever grandson.

There was a chasm in the crowd of students, where Mark and some other students I couldn’t yet recognise. It was a massive circle where no one approached the two, with students rushing off to get into the classes they wanted.

“You demonic piece of trash!” Mark howled at the student in front of him.

They retorted, “What kind of hero are you supposed to be? To be accusing a noble such as myself of such heresy without evidence!”

Wondering what nonsense was happening, I found the strength within me to satisfy my curiosity.

‘Huh… that isn’t just any other student – don’t tell me, this fucking kid, again!’

Reaching the epicentre of the storm, I recognised the brown pigtails. My hands screeched at me to act… the retreating figure of hers sent my thoughts into overdrive.

I enhanced my strength preparing to leap forwards… only to be forced back onto the ground.

“Stop,” A singular voice echoed amongst us all.

My body threatened to topple over, just like it had yesterday. However, it wasn’t Alicia. I recognised that voice, the infamous number-one student in the academy.

‘What was it again – Every protagonist needs a rival?’

Lyuga. His strength was known amongst all major citadels of the current time, a mutation of human genes it had been called.

“Your shame to the hero’s name ends here,” He declared.

He should’ve continued to fight, but that unfilial bastard backed down.

‘That’s impossible! Unless the Gods decided to reject death itself…’

Or, that meant they already had contact previously, triggering that flag.

“Hero? Really! Everything has to be about the Hero, doesn’t it? I am Mark and will surpass that old sack of bones!” The Grandson stood his ground, not succumbing to Lyuga’s pressure.

Lyuga sent a disappointed look over to him, “Aren’t you strong as is? Eventually, you would grow stronger than anyone else, including me.”

Mark grit his teeth and turned away muttering one last breath.

“None of you would understand.”

Naturally, I didn’t hear what he said, but this event played the same as it would play any protagonist.

‘Anyway, to Julia–’

“Are you alright Julz? That asshole should be gone now,” Lyuga casually addressed her.

From behind, another figure entered the unapproached circle.

“You’re referring to her with a nickname already?” An unfamiliar figure crossed their arms.

My mind began sifting through multitudes of playthroughs and guides. There were many instances since I’ve arrived, that there were many students I couldn’t recogonise.

‘But… why am I getting this feeling?’

The nerves in my body were tingling, as if trying to tell me something.

“Hohohoho! Do not fret, for I am not a commodity. I am a Great noble for the ages!” Julia announced with her chest put into it.

“If you say so,” Lyuga shrugged.

“Urgh… why are you always like this Julz, I have an image to maintain here!” The eerie girl exclaimed.

After bickering, the three left in the direction of the General Combat class not far up ahead.

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

“Why is the number one student with the accursed?”

“Wait, maybe everything was just a rumour!”

“You have a point! There hasn’t been any evidence supporting the De Gracias of contracting with a devil!”

“What are you idiots on about? Lyuga is obviously being manipulated by that demon!”

“Urgh! Make up your minds, is she demonic or not!”

Conversations like that emerged from the circular crowd, leading me to ponder a new solution.

‘But first… since when did she get close with that guy? And, who is that girl? Everything about her gives me the creeps. Well at least she has friends now, that has to be good.’

I hated the idea of being suspicious without reason nor logic, but my instincts so far haven’t been wrong. Whether she was involved with the incoming beastmen… or with the Demon Uprising executives, time would tell.

Hopefully, I was wrong entirely.

Snapping me into reality was a smack on my back. “Yo, what are you doing here behind the crowd? Trying to keep up your nonchalant persona?”

“Cut it out dude, I just saw something interesting,” I snug my arm around his neck. “Aren’t you suspicious being this far behind too?”

“Seriously? Isn’t the answer obvious?” Fen let out a wry smile.

I turned my head around, getting my answer. That princess of his, was sending me a glare of death.

‘Get off him now!’ Her eyes seemed to convey.

Unfortunately, listening to the demands of the spoilt weren’t in my plans.

“Let’s go for it!” I exclaimed as I thrust Fen forward with a full force shove.

He tried to resist, but I was to sudden. “Wa- wait! Uaaghh!”

Following his launch into the air, I leaped ahead leaving the pitiable princess behind.

-x-

“Since when were you that strong?” Fen stared at me with excitement in his eyes. “Man… I can’t wait!”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” I shivered under his intense gaze.

We barely made it for the start of the class, where there was another ruckus. It was quickly resolved with the help of Lyuga, but the cause was another matter entirely.

Abel said it himself, classes have limits. Arriving to highly contested classes like General Combat later than the first batch would guarantee you missing out. Although, people like me and Fen had ways to circumvent it.

“You were unlike those idiots that started a fight just now!” Fen laughed heartily, patting my back.

I had to agree, by now I was almost certain that I would defeat the average student. But, not without difficulties. Everyone who attended this academy was not without an training regime common people would not be able to endure. They had to pass the entrance ceremony after all, which included the task of slaying a monster.

‘I missed that one though… thanks to a certain charming lizard.’

Regardless, my arsenal included something like the Enigmatic Chance which was honestly the biggest factor in said predictions.

“You have a point, but I wouldn’t agree so easily,” I nodded proudly.

“That’s cool but, Luke, I think class is starting,” Fen mouthed quietly.

I turned to look forward, attempting to look over the heads of a few dozen students. I resorted to standing on the ends of my toes, looking like an estranged pole.

“Pfft. Need me to carry you?” Fen teased from the side.

I glared at him while remaining silent.

“Attention!”

A booming voice incomparable to Lyuga’s blasted through the field.

“I am Reinhardt Wynnd, the professor of General Combat, but also your teacher until you graduate. I will teach all of you how to fight no matter the circumstances.”

“First, however, I have a question for all of you – What is the essence of combat?”

Within the crowd of heads, a few put their hands up. Out of those, Reinhardt singled out the most front one. Coincidentally, someone who I recognised.

“I believe it’s the mind, sir,” They succinctly answered.

Reinhardt rubbed his chin, evaluating that answer. “I don’t dislike that approach Prince, but there’s something more fundamental… primal even that fulfils my question perfectly.”

To my left, an excited green-eyed battle junkie was jumping up and down.

“What do you think?” Reinhardt met eyes with Fen.

“Survival! How can you fight without protecting yourself?” He answered with absolute confidence in his voice.

I knew, however, that he was wrong as well.

“Close, but that isn’t the answer either,” Reinhardt nodded, seeming satisfied someone had gotten close.

The atmosphere slowed down, as the professor overlooked our crowd. That was until he spoke out.

“What about you? The one right next to the over-excited kid who just answered.”

I pointed to myself.

“Yes, you, hurry and give me your answer,” Reinhardt pushed me to give a response.

I felt the stares of those around me and the ever-so-close soul-piercing glare of Fen.

“Hah, I believe the answer is quite obvious but easy to overlook. That is, to murder the enemy in front of you,” I answered with some more detail.

Reinhardt nodded with a smile, “Good, good. That is what I was looking for.”

Some other student raised their voice, “Excuse me sir, but aren’t we heroes? For our goal to be killing our enemies, isn’t that… too merciless?”

“I will answer with another question. What is the intention of your enemy?” The old man asked.

The student sent a confused look to the professor, “To… defeat us?”

“Incorrect… you heard it just a second ago, but their motive would be our deaths. You who harbours many thoughts other than killing than foe in front of you, against that foe who has thoughts of only killing you. Regardless of strength or tactics, will itself is the final decider.”

The air was empty, with students like Fen next to me with their eyes wide open. In the game, the protagonist, Fen, in this case, would receive enlightenment after hearing such an explanation. That was why players needed to take this class no matter what, or they would hit a wall eventually.

“Ahem. That’s enough grumblings out of me. We will start the first lesson, which will be for me to learn how you brats will fight,” Reinhardt ripped an unnerving grin.

I clenched my fists. Memories of the first class with Professor Haruto flashed in my mind.

“Which is why I will have you paired against one another, while I get a close look. Of course, all of you will be fighting at the same time.”

‘Phew.’

The thought of defending against a shockwave of that magnitude left an irreparable scar in my heart.

“Now, I will begin choosing the sparring pairs myself. And, do me a favour by standing in one big line.”

We all scrambled around to fit into one line, leaving me to stand beside two strangers. In such discomfort, my body shivered as if fearing what was to come.

‘Even though we’re not fighting the professor… why do I still have a bad feeling?’