__________
Coincidences can be terrifying...
"Student: Eiren Brown."
A young man with short, dark black hair and golden-yellow eyes raised his hand as he answered his teacher.
"Present."
Yes, that's me. And to understand how I got here, let's go back a little — precisely, two months ago...
.
.
.
"Man, the new chapter of Ascension is really amazing."
I was reading the latest chapter of my favorite novel at the time...
"But seriously, how are they going to defeat the Demon King? He's powerful in every sense of the word."
I muttered in a different voice as I put the final touches on my usual comment on the novel...
After I finished, I stretched a bit and then headed to bed...
And immediately after, I started drifting into the world of dreams — still thinking about how they might defeat the Demon King.
"Everyone could've made better choices... If I were with them, could I have made things better?"
I murmured and fell asleep...
"I think so."
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.
.
RING!
RING!
RING!
I woke up to the sound of an alarm that felt unfamiliar to me. I wasn't in a state to care much, due to the overwhelming fatigue wrapping around me...
I turned it off and sat on the bed, rubbing my eyes. The first thing I noticed when I opened them was a strange sight — clearly, this was not my room...
I don't know how to describe it, other than it looked... futuristic.
Instinctively, I searched for my phone — but, whether good or bad luck, I only found a strange-looking device that somewhat resembled a phone.
"What's going on?"
I picked up the device, surprised by its design. It lit up immediately, apparently activated by my fingerprint — and a screen appeared with a few numbers that sent chills down my spine...
The time said 7:00 AM — logical.
But the date displayed was completely illogical...
02/02/2320
I thought the phone in my hand was broken or that this was some kind of prank...
"What in the name of hell...?"
I pinched myself in disbelief, and the pain spread smoothly from the pinch — which meant this wasn't a dream...
"Calm down, $$$$."
I took a deep breath to settle myself and began scanning the room for anything that could tell me where I was and what that date meant...
There was nothing remarkable in the room — and I mean nothing.
I began to move a bit, but I felt an odd resistance — I couldn't walk smoothly...
I continued searching for anything useful...
The first thing I found was a letter in an old-fashioned envelope, engraved beautifully with "Sun Academy" and labeled: Acceptance Notice.
"Damn it..."
I cursed out loud as I took the letter in my hands...
"Could it be...?"
I opened the letter with trembling hands, unwilling to believe this was real...
To the student Eiren Brown,
We are pleased at Sun Academy to inform you of your acceptance. You passed the entrance test ranked 240.
Please note that classes begin in two months from today.
We kindly request your move to the student dorms no later than two days before the welcome ceremony.
We wish you all the best.
— Sun Academy.
"Oh my god... it seems I've ended up inside Ascension."
.
.
.
Some of you might think this is great — being transported into a novel world, building a harem or something like that, meeting the main characters and watching the plot unfold — all wonderful things we've wished to experience...
Of course, that's only if the novel is logical, in a rosy peaceful world.
But trust me when I say — you wouldn't want to enter this novel, with all the unknown dangers surrounding you. Even the main character died twice...
I thought of one thing to confirm my suspicions...
"Status."
I muttered softly — and a nearly-transparent screen appeared before me. I stared at it in astonishment.
Name: Eiren Brown
Race: Human
Talent: C
Rank: F
Strength: F+
Mana: F-
Endurance: F
Intelligence: F
Magic: G+
Luck: ??
Art:
Piercing Strike Art (★ ★)
An art that allows spear strikes to be 90% faster and stronger for critical hits.
Skill:
Thinking Mind (D)
Allows you to think faster and more efficiently than normal.
"That's better than I expected..."
This wasn't the status of someone who'd die just by being looked at...
"There might be a chance."
You might ask why I said that — it's because I thought of one or two things. Or as we call it — cheats.
I know it's cliché, and even I'm surprised at how calm I am. In most novels, it takes the protagonist a long time to start thinking clearly...
Even the hero and his companions died — and I mean literally died — if not for the protagonist's ability and his repeated attempts.
But I can't do that.
What can I do? It's the only way to survive in this world...
Clearly, I didn't have a "system."
Which meant missing out on some benefits — but no point crying over spilled milk...
While thinking, I noticed a black envelope that immediately caught my attention.
"What's this?"
I picked it up and saw a name written on it:
To: $$$$$
"Isn't that my name in my original world?"
Unconsciously, I began accepting the name "Eiren Brown" as mine. I never liked my real name much, and with a chance to change it — why not?
I thought as I began reading the letter, repeating what had happened earlier...
I know you're surprised right now,
But let's say you've reincarnated into this world as Eiren Brown.
You already know — he was mentioned only twice in the entire novel, and died horribly saving one of the heroines at the start of the story...
You have three missions:
■1 - Help the hero and the author. Do not show yourself to them unless the author discovers you. Don't worry — the author's skill won't affect you.
■2 - Overthrow the Demon King.
■3 - Don't die.
Easy, right?
(My forehead bulged reading that part.)
Each time you complete an event successfully, you'll be rewarded with information you care about.
For example... Emily.
(When I read that name, I was shocked — how do I put it... she was my deceased friend, and the police report claimed she committed suicide.
Of course, I never believed it — but everything in its time...)
Please try to complete the story to save this world.
"Damn it."
That was all I could say in that moment.
I hadn't even planned to finish the story. My only goal was to gain enough strength and observe the main characters from afar...
Getting involved with them would only bring problems and headaches.
But Emily's presence changes everything...
"Can I see you again, Emily...?"
I don't even know if those memories are happy or sad anymore...
Suddenly, I heard a woman's voice calling me from downstairs.
"Eiren! Come down, it's breakfast time!"
"Coming!"
Instinctively, I shouted back — even I was surprised by how loud I was.
I normally don't even speak out loud, let alone yell...
I quickly washed my face.
I noticed my face in the mirror — I wasn't handsome or ugly, just an entirely average person...
With short black hair and slightly golden-yellow eyes...
I put on some clothes I found nearby that looked suitable.
Then I went down to the dining room — greeted by the sight of a man and woman, apparently my parents... or rather, the parents of this body.
The woman had long dark-brown hair reaching her back, a kind and wrinkle-free face, looked in her thirties, carefree as she set the dishes.
The man seemed in his early forties, with thick short brown hair, a short beard, and a clearly muscular build.
The first thing I thought when I saw them was:
(Protection.)
"Finally you're down — come, let's eat."
The woman said with a beautiful smile.
"Sorry, I had some nightmares — but I'm fine."
I replied with the gentlest smile I could muster.
"I told you to ease up on those novels you read,"
The man said as he started eating.
"Sorry..."
It was all I could say.
"Well, now that you've been accepted into the academy, I think it's time we give you a skill and a weapon to prepare."
He said, smiling at me.
"Right, I also need to start training so the other students don't surpass me."
Both parents looked at me, surprised. Did I say something wrong...?
"What is it?"
"Nothing — just surprised you want to train on your own without us pushing you."
"Yeah, I never thought you'd want to train without us or that girl... what was her name?"
"Mai."
"Right, Mai."
I couldn't help but smile at them as they talked about me.
We ate in a peaceful silence...
Afterward, my parents left — saying they'd be back in a week because they had a dungeon to clear. That was perfect for me...
"Take care, son. Keep the house safe. If you need anything, ask Mr. Kris."
"Alright, I'm not a kid — take care of yourselves too."
I waved them off gently.
As soon as they left, my smile faded.
"Why do I feel such familiarity with them...?"
I began thinking about how to live in this world and what happened to Emily...
Just as I started thinking, a notification sound chimed below:
[Synchronization complete]
The moment I read the notification, an intense pain struck my head...
I couldn't stand and dropped to the floor, clutching my head.
It felt like I was being trampled on the skull while molten iron was poured into my ears...
"Damn it, what is this!?"
I screamed until I fainted from the pain, lying there on the ground...
.
.
.
I had a long dream — or maybe not a dream, but memories. Memories of the real Eiren Brown.
Well, there wasn't much special in his memories except one thing — he had a connection to one of the main heroines.
(Mai Fuji) — She seemed to be this body's childhood friend, though they were separated for three years.
When I woke up, night had already fallen.
"Looks like I was unconscious for a long time."
I said while looking around, spotting a familiar black envelope — this time labeled:
To: Eiren Brown.
This time, only one line was written:
(This is my last gift to you — check your status.)
I muttered:
"Status."
Name: Eiren Brown
Race: Human
Talent: C
Rank: F
Strength: F+
Mana: F-
Endurance: F
Intelligence: F
Magic: G+
Luck: S
Art:
Piercing Strike Art (★ ★)
An art that allows spear strikes to be 90% faster and stronger for critical hits.
Skill:
Reader's Mind (EX)
Allows you to think 5x faster than normal — time seems to slow. Grants full resistance to all mental attacks. Immune to the Author's abilities.
"Damn, what amazing luck — even the protagonist only had Luck (A), and the Author (B)..."
"Looks like I'm lucky."
I muttered, remembering some unpleasant luck-related memories...
Then my eyes fell on the Reader's Mind skill.
The more I read, the more joy rose in my heart...
"Alright, I should take advantage of my parents' absence this week and go to that dungeon to get that book — I must get it, since it ends up in the hands of one of the story's strongest villains."
And believe it or not — that villain found the book by luck...
Now I must go to that dungeon.
The good thing is, I remember its location — it was described in the novel with precise detail, even the number of steps to reach it...
And with this body's memories, I can reach it easily.
The bad part is — it's a Rank C dungeon...
"You can do this, Eiren!"
I shouted and slapped both cheeks.
I took my spear — yes, I'm a spear user apparently — and with some food, I prepared for a few days' stay.
After all, I'm only Rank F and can't do anything but sneak...
Of course, you might ask why I'm going despite being low-ranked...
Even I thought about not going to the dungeon — but the Reader's Mind skill changed everything.
It might be the perfect skill for this dungeon.
"Oh, and I should eat before going."
I ate the food left for me at home...
Then headed out quickly — to my first adventure in this harsh but beautiful world...
"Let's hope everything goes well."