Ch. 143 - Academy Battle (2)

Chapter 143: Academy Battle (2)

Not long ago, Baek Yu-Seol realized through Anella that the trauma in his mental world belonged to the real ‘him.’

He felt the need to contemplate this aspect more deeply.

'Who am I?'

It was a profound philosophical question.

Since humanity became aware of and began contemplating the existence of ‘I’, it had been a constant recurring question.

Yet, no one knew the answer.

Of course, he didn’t know it either.

However, he had to delve a bit further there.

'The Reality of Baek Yu-Seol and Aether’s Baek Yu-Seol.'

Living through the 21st century Earth, Baek Yu-Seol played a 'Character Baek Yu-Seol’ in the game ‘Aether World Online.'

A unique character with the same name, and even a similar appearance.

Perhaps, he fell in love with the character because he felt a sense of kinship rather than the strange skill called Flash.

Baek Yu-Seol played the game all night long.

On days off, he even sacrificed rest time to practice Flash, and he researched how to deal with mages while enjoying PVP feverishly.

The story?

Of course, he pushed through to the end.

He skipped most of the story and didn’t read it properly, so it wasn’t memorable but...

Anyway, at the moment when the character Baek Yu-Seol in the game reached its ending.

The real Baek Yu-Seol, in other words, he fell into the game.

‘Is this a game or not?’

‘If it's not a game, what basis can I confidently state it on?’

‘I don't know.’

‘Everything I see, hear, and feel is so overflowing with realism that no matter how much I think about it, it feels like reality…’

‘… Why do the events that occurred in the game manifest as my past?’

On the blackboard hanging by the wall of the dormitory, he summarized the cause and effect relationship between him and the other ‘him.’

['The real Baek Yu-Seol merged into the character Baek Yu-Seol.]

[However, somehow... when prying into the past of the real Baek Yu-Seol, the past of the character Baek Yu-Seol emerges.]

[Am I the real Baek Yu-Seol?]

[Or am I the character Baek Yu-Seol?]

The memories of reality were intact.

However, very occasionally... fragments of memories from the old days of the character Baek Yu-Seol surfaced in his mind.

For instance, when he encountered Elthman Elwin, who had some past connections with the character Baek Yu-Seol.

When the character Baek Yu-Seol, and his experience overlapped… A memory of that time surfaced.

It was a sign that somewhere in his subconscious, remnants of past memories lingered.

[Have the two Baek Yu-Seol merged?]

For now, this hypothesis seemed to be most precise.

The consciousness of the character Baek Yu-Seol had somehow fallen dormant, and the consciousness of the real Baek Yu-Seol had taken over.

Thus, the memories of earth were complete, but the memories of the character world were incomplete.

From there, it goes back to the beginning.

[Was this truly a game?]

If this world was truly a game... the character Baek Yu-Seol shouldn't retain any 'memories.'

As a character manipulated by him through a keyboard and mouse, composed of 0s and 1s as data, there shouldn't exist such a thing as 'memories.'

However, undoubtedly, the memories of the character Baek Yu-Seol slumbered somewhere in his mind.

Even before his possession, even before playing the game... 'Character Baek Yu-Seol’ seemed to have lived on his own.

There, he firmly made a decision.

[This is not a game.]

This place wasn't a game, but in real life, he enjoyed it like a game.

There was a being who could create a reality like a game, and run a simulation.

'The Constellation Project.'

He was sent here by the same entity which created Aether World Online, and bestowed a reward every time he completed an 'episode' here.

The reason why the Constellation Project possessed Baek Yu-Seol into the character Baek Yu-Seol was that he was the one closest to the 'True Ending.’

‘In the future, the world will perish.’

‘I've known that fact for a long time, and it's true that I've been acting to prevent it.’

‘So then…’

‘Was the 'character Baek Yu-Seol’ I played in ‘Aether World Online' really just data of 0s and 1s?’

‘Or…’

‘Was even that character I played actually a living, breathing person?’

‘Sigh…’

For days, the question remained unanswered.

He used to think the things he experienced in the game were just part of the game.

But now, the past experiences from the game had started to appear as part of reality's past.

Those countless failures, challenges, deaths.

And, even the Black Dragon he encountered at the end of the world.

If all of that was real...

‘How many times did I kill Baek Yu-Seol... no, how many times did I kill myself?’

Suddenly, as Baek Yu-Seol looked into the mirror hanging on the dormitory wall, the dark circles under his eyes were deepening.

The dilemma kept returning repeatedly without an answer.

However, there was no one who could answer this for him.

‘Hey, if you're listening, can you please respond? You used to chat so well at the end of episodes.’

No response.

‘Is it just the system or does it refuse to engage in conversation altogether?’

The silence only added to the frustration.

Eventually, he put down the pen.

‘It's meaningless to ponder like this. Holding onto it, even knowing I can't figure out the answer myself, is just a waste of time.’

‘Someday... in the distant future, the day will come when I learn the truth about this world.’

‘At that time... you will tell me, right?’

[...]

Once again, there was no answer.

But for some reason, even though there was no response, he felt like it was giving him an affirmation.

‘Well... it could be just my mood.’

————

Anella might be a useful errand girl, but not a subordinate.

"Recently, you said that Moon Shadow Church seems to be concerned about Ma Yu-Seong lately, right?”

"Yes, that's correct."

Lunchtime, at the restaurant.

Originally, exchange students and Stella students were supposed to have meals at different restaurants, but Baek Yu-Seol deliberately came to the exchange student's restaurant.

There was no other place for Anella and him to talk privately.

He felt a bit awkward about this friendship.

"But... how long are you planning to eat like that?"

It felt even more uncomfortable as he watched Anella eat as much rice in a single bite as an average adult eats in a few bites.

"Well, I'll eat diligently!"

With his one comment, Anella immediately started shoveling rice into her mouth with a spoon.

He was concerned she might choke, but then again, she was a dark mage, so that probably wouldn't happen.

"Well, let’s say that Moon Shadow Church cares about Ma Yu-Seong, but... why did the Dark Knight decide to exterminate me?"

Thanks to the 'Mute' item he received from Alterisha, he wasn't worried about their conversation leaking out, so he asked Anella without hesitation.

She hesitated to answer.

"Well, even if I wanted to tell you, I don't know myself. They keep a lot of things kept confidential from me for fear that I can get caught during a mission.”

"Even I wouldn't tell someone like you."

"That's so mean..."

After casting a cautious glance, she asked, "But... Yu-Seol, you seem like an ordinary student. How do you know so much about our internal affairs...?"

Baek Yu-Seol wondered if she was subtly trying to gather information, but he didn't think Anella was that clever.

Of course, he had no intention of revealing anything.

"Do I have to tell you about that too?"

"Oh, no! I'm sorry!"

"Keep eating your food."

Unfortunately, Anella didn't know much about the internal affairs.

It wouldn't be appropriate for him to ask for more information either.

She might plead desperately here, but if she returned to the Dark Knight’s side after leaving Stella, there was a high chance that she would betray him.

He needed something to keep Anella in check...

In the original game, there was a plot where a single phrase from a character would deeply move Anella and completely change her heart towards the protagonist... or so he had heard.

He didn’t know much himself; after all, he just met this character Anella for the first time.

He was not particularly good with words, so he didn't have the confidence to touch her heart.

The only remaining option was to make a deal.

The deal would leave her no choice.

"Anella, you said your dark magic is completely sealed off right now, right?"

"Ye-yes..."

Perhaps if she returned without successfully completing the mission, the seal might not be lifted forever.

But that was just a possibility; one cannot rely on uncertainties.

'Anella's past.'

He slowly looked at Sentient Spec.

There weren't many records about her.

He wasn't diligent enough to record everything about the extra NPCs.

However...

[She wants to return to being human]

Although he was not diligent, he had a habit of precisely documenting the most important core elements.

"Anella, shall I make you a good deal?"

"... Yes?"

This could be an excellent bait to firmly hold her in place.

———

The Skalven Club.

Beneath the sparkling chandelier, he leisurely perused the report with shimmering golden eyes.

[Skalven Club Participation List]

[Second Year....]

[Third Year....]

As most of the Skalven Empire nobility belonged to this club, a considerable number of participants in the Academy Battle were also members.

It used to be a remarkable event to have even one participant from a club join the Academy Battle, warranting a celebration party, but sadly, hoping for that from the Skalven Club seemed futile.

Jeremy simply glanced over the participation list with an indifferent gaze.

Club members wondered why he suddenly took an interest in this.

"Participants."

"Yes!"

"Yeah!"

A radiant smile adorned his face, seeming to emit a golden glow. He was stunningly beautiful, almost godlike in appearance.

"In this Magic Survival, there's a somewhat unique participant. Do you know who?"

"... Yes, I'm aware."

Baek Yu-Seol, first year, Class S.

A bold junior who confidently made a name for himself as a participant in the Academy Battle, boasting a high win rate against seniors.

Considering that the Academy Battle involved elites from prestigious academies worldwide, mostly over 18, Baek Yu-Seol case was quite exceptional.

While it might be a source of pride for Stella Academy, as a senior, it seemed rather unbecoming.

"Can I ask for one thing?"

"Just say it, Your Highness."

"Eliminate Baek Yu-Seol."

"... "

The expected request came forth.

It was no secret within the academy that Jeremy disliked Baek Yu-Seol.

He was none other than... a commoner who had captivated his unrequited love, Flame.

Although they had parted ways, rumors persisted that Flame still harbored feelings for Baek Yu-Seol, which made Jeremy quite uncomfortable.

"Is it difficult?"

Jeremy had a reason for making such an indifferent request.

Lately, Flame had been quite concerned about Baek Yu-Seol participation in the Magic Survival, and Jeremy had noticed.

She wandered around the classroom bulletin board, and asked friends about Baek Yu-Seol’s survival participation and how it went during the evaluation.

That didn't sit well with him.

"No, it's very easy!"

Knowing Jeremy's feelings well, the club members enthusiastically responded.

Magic Survival.

As a game where 100 mages randomly land in different locations and survive, 'teaming up' was strictly prohibited.

However, to completely eliminate Baek Yu-Seol with this group, teaming up was absolutely necessary.

"...This Academy Battle is a disaster."

Students who had grand ambitions of gaining widespread recognition through victory could only swallow their tears.

But what could they do?

Being targeted by Skalven’s prince was even more frightening.

"Well then... stay strong, everyone."

Jeremy requested warmly, and the club members vigorously nodded in response.

"Yes!"

It appeared that this Magic Survival wasn’t going to go smoothly after all.

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