Chapter 1: Cursed Transmigration.
Normally, most stories begin with gate outbreaks around the world and the emergence of great heroes. Or a scene of a repressed soul being mocked for their lack of talent, only to awaken a hidden gift that allows them to surmount all obstacles. Or a young lady rejected and forsaken by her lover, only for him to come chasing after her later on.
Each story, though similar, has its own uniqueness. Some may refute this, saying they are all the same, but in the end, there will always be those who disagree.
As for this story in particular, one could only call it a tale of misfortune.
"How the f*ck is this happening?!!!"
Kim Hyun Jee was petrified when he found himself kneeling within a magnificent hall in front of a tribunal of infamous-looking individuals, each more intimidating and fearsome than the last. He had just been about to take a rest a moment ago, yet now he found himself trapped in the body of Lucian Von Nix, an unfortunate character in the novel he had just finished reading.
The figures seated on an elevated platform before Kim Hyun Jee were none other than the executive staff of Royal's Magical Academy, the most prestigious and revered academy in the Kingdom of Ishtar.
Seated at the center of the tribunal, an old man brimming with vigor and a menacing aura stared down at Kim Hyun Jee with such intensity that he had to avert his gaze, his body trembling and drenched in sweat.
"There's even a monster like this here?! How the heck am I going to live at this rate?!"
"Mister Lucian Von Nix, for the blasphemous act of resorting to demonic magic against your fellow student, not only within the Academy walls but within the Kingdom of Ishtar itself, and as a member of the human race..."
"The Academy has come to a unanimous decision to expel you from this moment onwards. Not only that, but the Emperor himself has issued a verdict... For you to be banished to the Forest of Celia, stripped of your noble heritage, and disowned by your house."
' You keep speaking back to back! Don't I at least get a say in this old man!' Kim Hyun Jee was at a loss.
"Now! Someone should kindly hurry up and remove this heretic from the Academy grounds at once!"
"No! Wait! It's a misunderstanding!" Kim Hyun Jee pleaded but his pleas were naturally ignored by the tribunal.
With the Academy Chairman's command, two knights approached Lucian Von Nix, apprehending him and dragging him out of the hall.
"It's not me! I was framed! Let go of me! I said I was framed, you bastards!" Lucian struggled as they pulled him away, but to no avail.
The sight of his humiliating demise naturally attracted the attention of the students of the Academy, who watched as Lucian was dragged by his arms, legs trudging on the floor like some criminal, all while he screamed.
"I can't believe it's true."
"Evil traitor, to resort to using demonic magic against another student. How pitiful can one be?"
"I heard he'd been pestering the poor junior, yet she refused him. That's why he resorted to using demonic magic against her."
"What a disgrace. Does he have no shame? I'm sure his house must feel frustrated to have someone as vile as him as an heir."
More and more students continued murmuring amongst themselves.
'Damn you bastards! It wasn't me! I didn't use it! It wasn't me!' Lucian became enraged the more he heard them. He couldn't stand the fact that all of them were calmly deciding his fate like this without caring to hear his side of the story.
"Arrgh!!!" He wanted to scream again, but one of the knights gave him a sharp blow to the gut.
"That's about enough out of you," the knight said coldly. He grabbed Lucian by the collar and flung him into the back of a wooden carriage before slamming the doors shut.
As the knights passed by the coachman, one of them quietly slipped him a leather pouch.
"Make sure you make it clean," one of them whispered before walking away.
The coachman grinned subtly before whipping the reins of the carriage's horses. Just like that, the carriage left the Academy grounds with Lucian inside.
For those confused, to understand the story completely, we'll have to go far back, to before Kim Hyun Jee was transmigrated into the body of Lucian Von Nix, a pitiful character with a pitiful fate.
Saturday Evening, 8:30 PM, South Korean time. Kim Hyun Jee had just gotten out of the shower. After drying himself off, he wrapped a towel around his waist before going to lie on his bed.
He had completed his military training a few months ago, but instead of living with his family, he opted to rent an apartment for himself.
After living in a military base with multiple roommates, he just wanted to have a space all to himself. And since he really wasn't the social type, he decided to spend his saturday night at home, watching reels, K-drama, and anime, like the weeb he was.
Without further ado, he picked up his phone, preparing to log into Meibo, but suddenly received a text from someone with the profile name: Myeong Noona.
"Baby... could you please help me with one little favor?"
"...Must be something important since you're calling me baby." Kim Hyun Jee replied with an awkward emoji attached.
Myeong was none other than his online girlfriend, whom he'd begun dating after his military service. With over a month of being in a relationship, he had to admit she was an amazing girlfriend, though a handful at times. Especially when it came to her anger.
That part especially stood out the most. At times, Kim Hyun Jee had come to the conclusion that the reason she must've been single all this while was because of it.
Since she mentioned not living in Seoul like him, they hadn't had a meet up ever since they started dating.