Chapter 01

Only One Day Left for My Life

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Only One Day Left for My Life

<This guy becomes more fascinating the more you look at him.>

Text appears on the monitor from a man with a furrowed brow.

Beautiful appearance, a distorted impression, but a person who is soon to die.

The antagonist and extra who appears right at the beginning of the game.

Even though he was a passing figure, there were many surprising things about him.

This guy, who is the top student in the first year and ascends to the second year, is nicknamed 'Tyrant.'

A character with a cool name and the second son of a duke.

The embodiment of chaos, not the iconic villain... just an extra.

A character who meets a ridiculously absurd death in the mere tutorial.

- Caesar Manus.

<You know, I can't find any sense of coherence, whoever created this.>

Started the game from scratch in celebration of the DLC release.

Learns different types of magic, combines two or more to create new spells.

The motto and concept of the game.

"No, but what's going on here?"

A man born and raised in South Korea sighed and spoke.

Games were immensely popular in the man's homeland.

He, too, played the same game.

The story that the man always had on his lips was, 'Caesar Manus is the problem. It ruins the coherence.'

"Who would think of this nonsense as the top student? If you're the top student, you should have top-notch skills."

The guy called the top student is supposed to help the protagonist's talent development.

And to top it off, he falls from the rooftop and dies.

The cause of death was a fall.

Stupidly, he was the guy who cast 'Follow me to the rooftop' and ended up getting knocked out.

What happened after that?

Despite being a duke's son, he had no eloquence whatsoever, and the protagonist character faced no proper punishment simply because it was deemed an 'accident.'

In the man's opinion, it was the only flaw in the game that was considered a masterpiece.

"But, is that me?"

The man stood there.

With a smirk, a laugh escaped as the face of the character, previously represented by just a single illustration, was reproduced.

He was Caesar, the son of Duke, entered the academy as the top student, maintaining that position until the first year.

However, he was a peculiar character with no real abilities.

Why, you might ask.

Why did he enroll as the top student, and why did he have to be treated so absurdly by the protagonist?

Today is March 2nd.

It was originally the day when the game's protagonist transferred in, a day to rest in the dormitory.

Tomorrow, a new semester will begin.

"...Even if the dormitory is better than a studio apartment, what's the use?"

He washed his face.

The sensation of his smooth palms, seemingly untouched by hardship, was distinctly felt.

It was a sensation completely different from his originally rough and calloused palms.

That made it feel even more dreamlike.

The man, now Caesar Manus, let out a sigh.

"Anyway, this is DLC. Can I go home after it's over?"

There was no one to answer the empty question.

I looked around the dormitory, which was no less than a 5-star hotel.

Golden chandeliers casting a soft, subtle light.

The table and bookshelf emanated a pleasantly familiar scent.

Overwhelmed by the overall atmosphere, I wondered whether it was my inherently neat personality or someone had tidied up.

I knew all the subjects studied here, but as I looked at myself, who didn't know the specific contents, I sighed again.

Stepping closer, I examined the top book on the shelf.

Opening the book to a random page, I took in the scent of the paper wafting up.

While the writing was understandable, the content was something else.

"What is this?"

Thunk.

The book, which seemed more suitable as a weapon, closed with a frustrating sound.

Even looking at it, I had no idea what it was talking about.

It was my honest sentiment as Manus.

Magic?

I lived in a world dominated by science, a world governed by logic.

What do I know about magic that causes supernatural phenomena?

Gas stoves, lighters, matches...

There were plenty of tools to start a fire.

Click.

Just when I was deeply perplexed by the confusing reality, I heard a knocking sound.

My heart sank, and the dilemma of whether to respond, stay silent, or pretend to be asleep passed through my mind like a supercar.

The end of my worries, which passed by like a gust of wind, was to calmly get up and open the door.

"This is Veronica."

"I'm coming."

Unintentionally, a gruff tone escaped my lips.

Originally different from the man's usual way of speaking, but it felt incredibly natural.

It seemed like the influence of possession.

I recalled the memories.

Veronica.

Manus also knows the character.

She was a distinctive character with pink hair.

As the door opened with a soft creak, a white apron came into view.

In the typical maid attire, she gracefully bowed her head in greeting.

Manus stood awkwardly, looking at her face.

Like a servant who dare not lift their head in front of a great figure, her gaze was directed towards Manus's feet.

With a soft fabric sound, a delicate hand reached out.

"A letter."

"Thank you."

Veronica, having heard his words, briefly made eye contact with Manus.

Realizing her mistake, she quickly lowered her head.

Though she closed her eyes, anticipating the imminent scolding, there was nothing.

"Where does that trash of a woman dare to make eye contact?"

Instead of that harsh voice, there was silence.

Instead of the coarse noises echoing through the hallway, there was the gentle sound of the door closing.

Creak.

"...."

When she looked up again, the door was closed.

Veronica glanced at the room where the self-proclaimed great young master of the great family had entered.

She lightly slapped her unswollen cheek.

"How fascinating.''

He didn't even lift a finger for locking eyes with him.

And on top of that, saying 'thank you'?

It was an event to the extent that someone hearing it might think a soul had undergone a transformation.

An occurrence dismissed as a joke or a dream.

Yes, an event.

***

"Sigh... Let's take a look for now."

I took out the letters.

There were two in total, and one had Caesar's seal stamped on it.

I had only seen it once, but strangely, I could remember it vividly.

And another letter.

It had a symbol that shouldn't exist in this world.

Carefully, I opened the letter first.

So, because of some unknown prank, did I fall into this world?

Manus calmly assessed the situation.

Whining won't solve anything.

I was a man who usually calmly observed his surroundings.

Moreover, since surreal events were happening, I could only resign myself.

Since I entered into the game world, I can't just stand still.

I need to think about the direction to survive.

Suddenly, I compared my situation in South Korea with the situation here.

'Perhaps the situation here might be better. Anyway...'

- Creak.

I unfolded another letter.

The sound of the paper unfolding seemed to lift the curiosity that had always been harbored in the depths.

I wondered what news the family had sent.

『Son,

The efforts made to make you a great one are not small. As always, you just need to stay quiet. Do nothing, show no signs. Then, the position of the Academy's top student will always be yours.

The past year has been days when you exerted influence at the Academy.

But that shouldn't continue.

Just stay still.

At Mithos Academy, Caesar is nothing more than a very valuable nameplate; it doesn't solve anything.

Son,

To remain a great one, you must truly do nothing.

The shadows will take care of everything for you...

Take care.

Happy birthday.』

The contents of the letter represented Manus's situation.

This guy manipulated his grades for an unauthorized admission?

It all adds up now.

"He was just an uninterested kid."

In the background description, the Caesar Ducal Family was known as a prestigious magical lineage.

A family so remarkable that even the protagonist looked up to them.

A place where, with the power of one family, disasters could be overcome.

Among the mage families, the Manus family was not only praised as a great family of magicians but also one that ruled the entire continent.

So, they even named him 'Caesar.'

'But with a half-wit like this born... Still, there's no talk of any measures being taken. It seems like he was just discarded by the family.'

I roughly understood the setting of the possessed character.

I searched my memory for any clues, but all I could recall were the memories from my original world.

So, I had no knowledge of how this guy Manus had lived, how he managed to enter as the top student, or what his interpersonal relationships were like.

I had no overall knowledge.

Lying sprawled on the bed, Manus let out a small sigh.

If it weren't for this letter, I wouldn't have known anything about this guy's situation.

That aside, seeing the formidable maid assassin in person was quite an experience.

'The Shadow Assassin, Veronica.'

Thirteen main bosses, along with various mini-bosses and event bosses.

Bosses appearing in the 'Tower' and bosses due to conflicts.

This game threw bosses at you at every opportunity, making you fight them.

Among them, one of the most notorious bosses was 'Veronica.'

"You want me to do nothing? I wish I could, but there's a catch."

In the original story, tomorrow was the destined day to die, but knowing the future, I had no intention of easily giving up my life.

It would be more beneficial for my existence to quietly live and hope for the original story to end well.

Up to this point, anyone who experienced possession could probably relate.

In reality, the conditions weren't bad.

Being the top student.

Generous scholarship, and living comfortably in this luxurious dormitory, right?

"But this letter..."

I pondered over the contents of the letter.

In essence, it suggested that I needed to intervene appropriately in the story.

What could I do?

What talents did this character possess, or rather, what talents did I possess?

Advice?

Or...

'I don't know. For now, no one should mess with me.'

The destructive power of the term 'Duke' in this game was tremendous.

A force with the financial capacity to run a small country.

A force with the military strength to engage with the regular army of a small country.

A place where there's a 'giant' capable of replacing a thousand knights with a single swing.

All of this was encompassed by the term 'Duke.'

Thinking of just getting through tomorrow peacefully, I blankly stared at the ceiling.

Being on the plushy bed made me even more reluctant to do anything.

I hope tomorrow passes without any incidents.

"Is this what it feels like to be a wealthy unemployed person?"

Except for the fact that the world was on the brink of destruction, it was a truly perfect possession.

***

The campus was noisy again today.

Fifteen.

Students just entering adolescence chattered away as they headed towards the massive building.

Mithos Academy.

A comprehensive educational facility located at the center of the continent.

Eight kingdoms and two empires.

The only neutral zone on the vast continent of Rox, with three city-states.

Mithos Academy was the place where individuals with talents from all countries gathered.

"It's ridiculously huge."

In the game, you could use the fast travel feature, but not now.

I strolled slowly through the entire academy, strangely with no one approaching me, and not a sound of footsteps in the surroundings.

A being contemplating whether to walk with the dignity of a prince of a nation.

A steady stride added grace, and the shiny shoes revealed character.

The cold gaze scanning the surroundings was like—.

"Hey, hey, don't make eye contact."

"Don't look into my eyes. Never."

—a predatory look searching for prey.

The surname 'Caesar' carried such weight.

With every step, gesture, and gaze, it was a word that could overwhelm the surroundings.

Thud-.

With each step, it felt like a confident carpet was being laid down beneath me.

"This is really, can't get used to it."

Suddenly, as I frowned slightly, a sound of "Eek-!" was heard.

Having lived an ordinary life, I became the sudden target of terror.

It felt somewhat similar to the atmosphere back in school days when the school's big shot passed by – not that there was much difference.

His path had to be obstacle-free, and it had always been that way.

Until the moment when the figure of a woman standing still came into view, Magnus walked straight ahead, and the woman stood with her back to him.

"Hey, isn't that the transfer student?"

"Crazy – I need to pull her away quickly..."

"Hey, hey! Come out quickly!"

A somewhat dazed woman.

With blue hair and a tall figure.

Dazzlingly beautiful, the protagonist of this world.

The owner of strong magic power was staring blankly at the school building, as if feeling alone in a different world.

"It's him."

Kale.

The savior of the world and the protagonist of the game.

Originally, the gender could be chosen, but here, she appeared to be a girl.

I approached her, and the surrounding gazes had already turned strangely.

"Isn't it impressive?"

It was a low and dignified voice.

Kale slowly turned her head and looked directly at the face of the person standing next to her.

I wonder why.

"-Yes."

Kale's response was brief.

A hint of tension lingered in the air.

My lips formed a thin line.

Two perspectives looking at the two towers standing tall.

I moved without uttering a word.

'I'm going to pass by as uneventfully as possible.'

Casually.

Without any incident.

My encounter with her was the end of it.

The woman who should have been brought to the rooftop for merely blocking my way, to welcome a peaceful day.

But no one knew.

That safe day would unfold a talent that would shake the world.

The fate of a child whom no one had paid any attention to until now was about to reach a new date.

As the long night faded away, the destiny welcoming the dawn was destined to become a shaking light for the world...

But no one could predict who that might be.