CH 11

[The True Protagonist]

I realized that the world I was born in was the world of the RPG game ‘Frontier Academia’ when I became aware of my surrounding.

The existence of monsters that existed on the outside of the outer wall that covered the city.

The existence of adventurers who challenged the other side of the wall for development and to protect the living sphere of humankind.

A world view that was like a modern era society where magic had developed instead of science.

Exactly because it was the game that he played until recently in the memory of his previous life, it was fortunate that he noticed it early.

‘Frontier Academia’ is an ambitious work sold in two forms, in the game consoles and in the newborn VR device; even though the story depicted is the same, there are changes in the gameplay due to the difference in point of view; it is a work that has attracted a lot of attention because it gives different impressions from the characters.

The story is hard to say to be original even as a flattery; although for people who sought a fresh experience, it could only be rated as a B grade work at best, I think that the royal road story that doesn’t miss the key points and could be enjoyed without thinking deeply about it is its good point.

In addition, it could be said that the VR version has the potential to be the predecessor of VRMMORPG, which would be developed in the future; it was the type of game that was highly evaluated in terms of technology.

Getting a second life as ‘Amanai Hayato’ – the boy who is the protagonist in such a world, I decided to raise my level early before my enrollment to the academy, considering the future.

In the future, if I proceed according to the original, I will have an encounter with a demon within a month of enrollment.

Even though it was just the first boss in the game, in this world that has become reality, I better think that I wouldn’t be able to retry if I die.

I raised my level as much as possible before the academy enrollment, and by the time I entered the academy, which originally started at Lv1, I have reached Lv18.

In the original, the suitable level to fight against the first boss is around 10. If I challenge it with a level that is almost twice of that and together with my comrades, I should be able to win safely.

“I’ve got the Gauntlet of Earth Dragon; although I think I put too much important on defense, it is better to take a safe margin.”

“Hm? Hayato, did you say something?”

“Ahh, no. We cleared the first layer of the dungeon easier than I expected that it was a bit of an anticlimax, so I have to focus my mind a little.”

“Hayato is too serious, or rather cautious as usual, isn’t he~?”

On the way to the school, the one who spoke from next to me is one of the original work’s heroines, my childhood friend – ‘Akano Reika’.

Two-side ups red hair. A neat face with her eyes and nose arranged in a well-balanced manner.

Although her varied expressions give off a determined impression, she possessed an energy that makes people feel her strong charm.

She seems to be more mature mentally than me, and she is also good at socializing; it could be said that she is a girl who is not the center of the class, but is secretly popular.

“It’s a matter of life and death, so it’s natural, right? I don’t want to go through a painful experience just because a foolish mistake.”

“That’s certainly correct, but being too highly strung isn’t good either. Relax yourself a little bit. They said that making mistakes as a student is also an experience, right?”

If I fail, the walls could be broken and the country could be destroyed… and things like that are not things I can say, so I involuntarily let out a depressed sigh.

Having seen that, Reika smile and slap my back, saying, “Your fighting spirit is lacking, y’know—!”. This is our usual exchange.

(I’m a physical attacker. Reika is using mainly magic healing as a sub. I was able to form a party with Ethel-san, who can be entrusted with healing and buff, without a problem; I want to add another physical attacker in order to save combat resources as a comrade… if possible, someone with an attribute attack.)

She’s not here right now, but I have a comrade called ‘Ethel Tyner’ – a female student.

She is also one of the original work’s heroines, and the sacred magic she wields will be a great force in future battles against the demonkin.

Especially when dealing with a demonkin who is compatible with an immortal species monster, the difficulty level changes greatly depending on whether she is present or not.

(Speaking of candidates, the best candidate is ‘Higaki Ao-senpai’. Her firepower is really amazing. Her joining time being late is a problem, but at the beginning of the original work, she didn’t belong to a specific party, and she should be acting solo. If I deepen our exchange, she might join early… at least, if I could have her teach me even just the way of walking system of the Sword Saint skill…)

When I arrive at the classroom while thinking about such things, I notice that the surroundings are noisy.

Reika should have notice the strange atmosphere as well, as she takes the initiative to talk to a nearby female student, gathering information.

“Good morning Yashiro-san. It’s kinda noisy, isn’t it? What’s going on?”

“Ah, good morning Akano-chan. Do you know Higaki-san, the chairman of the disciplinary committee?”

“Is it the person who was holding a sword the whole time at the club activities explanatory meeting?”

“Yeah, that’s her. Anyway, they said that she fought someone, and she is in critical condition and has been unconscious until now…”

“Haah!? Hey, tell me the detail of that story!!”

“Uwa!? What’s wrong, Hayato?”

Higaki Ao is in critical condition and has been unconscious until now!? I’ve never heard of such an event!?

“Err, even if you asked me for detail, I only know about the rumors. They said that she had a problem with a male student and they dueled on the riverbed, then as a result she was seriously injured and now is bedridden at the hospital.”

“Seriously…? What’s going on…”

“Hayato, are you acquainted with the chairman of the disciplinary committee?”

“Eh? Ah, no, just that I heard in the guild some time ago that she is the disciple of the Sword Master. Wouldn’t you be surprised if such a strong person became unconscious?”

“Hmm? That’s rare of you, but… if you’re curious, why don’t we visit her next time?”

“No, it’s fine. We’re not acquainted, so even if I go, I would probably be turned away at the door.”

“That so? But being in disciplinary committee sure is hard, I never thought that the academy is so unsafe.”

“It’s also strange that nothing is known about the male student, isn’t it~?”

Reika begins chatting with Yashiro-san just like that; having said my thanks and slip away from there, I sit in my seat and look up at the sky from the window, though my mind is still in turmoil.

It’s not only because an event that I don’t know happened, but also because there is a possibility that there might be something that will upset the flow of the original work in a place that I don’t know.

Let’s say for argument’s sake that a fatal incident occurs to an important character, that might lead to a game over just like that. If it occurs in a place unrelated to me, I might have to avoid it at all costs to overcome this story(battle).

(Should I refrain from raising my level for a while and give priority to communicating with the original work’s characters? At least, it might be better to get acquainted with them…)

While remembering the characters that I can contact now and their episodes, I hope that Higaki Ao would return to the academy safely at least.