Alex stepped out of his front door and adjusted his tie, feeling like a million bucks.
Calling his residence a "dorm" was like calling the Titanic a boat. It was a two-story villa complete with a private gym, a magic training room, and a library stocked with grimoires worth more than a peasant's life.
Not bad for a background character, Alex mused.
Apparently, the previous Alex had been a total nerd. He was physically weak and magically mediocre, but he was a theory genius. He had aced every written exam, landing him in the Top 3 in the entrance exam. In Celestia Institute, grades equaled luxury.
The walk to the main campus was short—maybe ten minutes—but it was an eye-opener.
As soon as he hit the main path, the "Erosbound" logic smacked him in the face.
The female uniform was... an engineering marvel. The skirts were dangerously short, defying physics with every step. A gentle breeze or a slight bend was all it took to flash a glimpse of lace or silk.
And the students? They had no chill.
Alex watched as a guy walking ahead of him casually grabbed his girlfriend's ass. She didn't slap him; she just giggled and leaned into him. Another couple was making out furiously against a tree, right out in the open.
"Heaven," Alex whispered, his head on a swivel. "This place is actual heaven."
He reached the classroom building way too fast.
"Damn it, Lily," he grumbled, checking the clock. "She rushed me so hard I'm twenty minutes early."
He walked into the lecture hall. It was huge, built like a coliseum with tiered seating. It was mostly empty, save for a few early birds who glanced at him, whispered something that sounded like "pretty boy," and went back to their conversations.
Alex walked up the steps, pausing.
Wait. Where do I sit?
The System had downloaded the big memories—family trauma, world history, magic theory—but apparently, it had deemed the seating chart irrelevant.
He stood there in the aisle, looking like a lost puppy, trying to jog his memory.
Tap. Tap.
Someone poked his shoulder. Hard.
Before he could turn, a wave of expensive, sweet perfume hit his nose.
"Hey! What are you dawdling for, you pimp? You're blocking the way."
The voice was feminine, haughty, and dripping with disdain.
Alex turned around.
"Oh..."
His mouth formed a perfect 'O'.
Standing there was a girl who looked like she had walked straight out of a magazine cover—specifically, the kind you keep under your mattress.
She had golden-blonde hair tied in twin tails, framing a face that was cute but currently twisted in a scowl. Her body was a masterpiece of curves—an hourglass figure with a slender waist, wide hips, and a chest that, while not on Lily's level, was definitely defying the buttons of her shirt.
And her uniform? It was a violation of the dress code. Her skirt was rolled at the waist to make it impossibly short, showing off thick thighs. Her top buttons were undone, revealing a flash of a red lace bra.
Alex recognized her instantly.
Alicia Raven.
The eldest daughter of the Raven Count family—a merchant house so filthy rich they practically bought their nobility. She was a main character, a "gyaru" archetype known for chasing the protagonist and using her money to solve problems.
Alicia clicked her tongue, her blue eyes narrowing. "What? Did you get so mesmerized by my beauty that you lost your voice? Keep staring like that and I'll gouge your eyes out."
She shoved past him, her shoulder checking his chest.
"Move it. Useless pimp... ruining my morning," she grumbled as she walked down the aisle, her hips swaying with a hypnotizing rhythm.
Alex stood there, blinking.
Pimp?
Anger flared in his chest. Did she just call me a pimp because I look like a pretty boy?
He wanted to retort. He wanted to grab her and put her in her place. But then reality kicked in.
Alicia Raven wasn't just a rich brat; she was a C-Rank mage. Alex was... well, Alex was currently unranked trash with a lot of book smarts and a hidden heavy weapon that wouldn't help in a magic duel.
"Calm down," Alex muttered to himself, forcing his fists to unclench. "I can't fight her yet. She'd blast me through the wall."
Feeling dejected, he walked to the back of the class and took a corner seat. It was the designated "mob character" spot.
I need to fix this, he thought, watching Alicia apply lipstick three rows down. I can't just be the theory guy. In this world, if you're weak, you're just a toy for the strong.
As the minutes ticked by, the classroom began to fill up. And with them, the real stars of the show arrived.
Alex watched them enter, mentally checking off the boxes.
First was Ariana Flamehart. You couldn't miss her. Crimson red hair, eyes like burning coals, and an aura that screamed "I am better than you." She was the second daughter of the Flamehart Duchy and a fire magic prodigy. She walked in like she owned the building.
Next was Emily Frost. The complete opposite. Silver hair, pale skin, and an expression colder than a blizzard. The daughter of the Magic Tower's Mistress. She didn't look at anyone, just glided to her seat and opened a book.
Then came Olivia Valemont. Tall, athletic, with a ponytail that bounced as she walked. The daughter of the Valemont Duchy and a genius archer. She was laughing with a friend, radiating generic "energetic best girl" energy.
And finally, amidst the flowers, the weed arrived.
Ren Montclair.
The Protagonist.
He looked average. Messy black hair, dull eyes, generic face. He walked in with his head down, trying not to be noticed.
Look at him, Alex thought, a smirk tugging at his lips. Acting like a mob.
Everyone thought Ren was a commoner orphan on a scholarship. But Alex knew the truth. Ren was the Crown Prince of the fallen Montclair Empire, the last survivor of a royal bloodline.
Walking right beside him was Lena Brook, a girl with short brown hair and a sharp, vigilant gaze. To the world, she was his childhood friend. In reality, she was his Royal Knight and bodyguard.
Only three people in this world know his secret, Alex thought, leaning back in his chair. Ren, Lena... and now, me.
The stage was set. The cast was here.