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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Having experienced the beta test of ‘Reincarnation Hero’, I recalled a particular bug in the game.
When multiple buffs or debuffs were stacked, the highest-level debuff took priority.
While seemingly insignificant at first glance, this bug could significantly impact gameplay.
For example, if a target afflicted with the Bleeding (Lv. 1) debuff received the equally leveled Stamina Reduction (Lv. 1) debuff,
the Stamina Reduction debuff would always succeed due to a synergy effect triggered only when a target was bleeding.
It was similar to how water magic dealt additional damage to a target afflicted with the Electrocution debuff.
This was the standard effect when debuffs were applied sequentially.
However, if a target with the Bleeding (Lv. 1) debuff received the Stamina Reduction (Lv. 2) debuff,
the higher-level Stamina Reduction (Lv. 2) debuff took precedence, negating the synergy effect triggered by the Bleeding debuff.
‘In short, it’s a shitty bug…’
It was more of a detriment than an advantage, so I thought it was completely useless…
Who knew it would come in handy like this?
I took a deep breath and opened the door to Trial 2 Chamber B.
Step.
As I confidently stepped inside, I was greeted by a thick fog and a barrage of status windows.
-Ding!
-Ding!
“So fast…”
The debuffs steadily stacked on my defenseless body.
My vision was already fading to black. As each of my senses shut down, leaving only pain, the agony would begin.
There was no time to waste.
I immediately equipped the Ring of Domination I had received from Lilith.
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Lev Denec wasn’t the only one attempting Trial 2.
Melissa de Prominence, aiming for the top spot in the academy, was also striving to conquer it.
She was engrossed in her training at the magic practice range, focusing her magic on a large straw dummy.
-Crackle…
Small inscriptions, etched with coordinates, appeared around the dummy, guided by Melissa’s concentration.
-Boom!!!
The inscriptions ignited in an instant, blooming into crimson flowers of fire before exploding.
Fire Burst, a 4th Circle spell.
It was a high-level spell, boasting considerable firepower.
The straw dummy, three times her size, was completely incinerated, losing its form.
-Is she really a freshman…?
-Not just the firepower, but the precision of her inscriptions is amazing. I’d believe it if she said she was from the Orthodox faction…
-That’s the girl who defeated the monster during the entrance exam, right?
Despite her seniors’ praise, Melissa paid no mind to them.
‘If only I had done this back then…!’
She was driven by the memory of that day.
The Patchwork monster during the entrance exam.
Truth be told, if she had focused, she could have easily defeated it with her skills.
But she had been complacent, wanting to show off her superiority to Lev Denec, and had wasted too much mana on high-cost spells against the Hobgoblin.
When she encountered the Patchwork monster, she panicked, her nerves getting the better of her, and failed the incantation, wasting even more mana.
‘I messed up the resource management. Unworthy of a mage…’
It was a memory she wanted to erase.
Lev Denec, on the other hand, had done his part, unfazed by her snide remarks.
‘And it was I who ridiculed him first…’
Aria, too, had been calm and collected.
For some reason, she had remained composed in the face of the monster and even rescued Edwin.
Thanks to them, the exam had concluded without any major incidents…
‘But why am I the only one who received an S-rank…’
Had she been treated favorably, unconsciously, because she was a princess?
Melissa felt a sense of alienation.
She was used to being the center of attention, receiving love and praise wherever she went.
‘Lev Denec…!’
Though she still saw him as a thorn in her side for trying to woo Aria.
-Gulp!
After downing a potion to replenish her mana, Melissa headed for the Evolution Chamber.
She was in good condition today and planned to attempt Trial 2.
At the chamber entrance, someone called out to her.
“Fancy seeing you here.”
It was Kaelan Heath, the red-haired boy, a fellow S-rank freshman and the runner-up, just like her.
Perhaps due to his handsome features, he was quite popular among all the years.
He seemed to keep crossing paths with her lately, and she couldn’t help but be aware of him.
Melissa tried to calm her racing heart and asked curtly,
“…You’re attempting the Trial too?”
“No. I have something to discuss with you, Melissa.”
“…”
His smooth baritone voice sent shivers down her spine.
“Can you spare some time for me?”
“As I said before…”
He was probably going to ask her to join his circle, ‘Royal Class’.
The conditions were tempting, but she had rejected his offer because she couldn’t join without Aria.
But she hadn’t expected him to be so persistent.
‘Could he… be interested in me?’
The thought sent a thrill through her, a feeling she had never experienced before.
“Fine. Do what you want…”
She found herself agreeing to accompany him.
“As expected of a princess.”
With a mischievous grin, he fell into step beside her.
Melissa had first met him during the mana sensitivity class.
He was the one who had first made her, confident in her mana sensitivity and inscription deciphering skills, feel a sense of defeat.
She had to admit it.
He was incredibly handsome, with looks that could rival even a prince, and his abilities were equally impressive.
Not only did he excel in practical training focused on mana manipulation and inscriptions,
but he also possessed extensive knowledge in theoretical fields like mana circuits and magical engineering.
In short, he was an unparalleled genius.
“Oh?”
Kaelan stopped abruptly and tapped Melissa’s shoulder.
“It seems someone’s attempting the Trial. Look over there.”
The fear of Trial 2 was widespread among the freshmen.
It was known for its cruel method of shutting down your senses one by one, leaving you with only agonizing pain if you failed to maintain focus.
But someone was actually attempting it…?
“Ash-grey hair… Could it be…”
Melissa caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
“What? Do you know him?”
Of course she did. But that was Chamber 2-B…?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Chapter 3 of ‘Reincarnation Academy’.
Lilith, driven to madness by the exposure of the black market’s illegal activities, thanks to Edwin’s actions, would brainwash Aria using her Mind Control magic.
-My precious doll…
There was no need to elaborate, but Lilith would start using Aria’s body for horrific acts, leading to her own downfall…
The chapter would culminate in a gruesome scene where Aria attempts suicide as a form of protest.
-Edwin, I’m so sorry… I’m sorry… Sorry…
-A-Aria!
At this point in the story, Edwin would be participating in the Dungeon Exploration Practice with Yeriel’s party, forming a love triangle with Melissa and Aria.
Edwin would then use his Executor abilities for the first time, breaking Lilith’s mental control and thwarting her plans.
-I won’t… kill you… Even though you were my senior.
He would even show an absurd level of mercy, sparing her life in the end.
‘It was a setup for obtaining the Holy Sword… but I wanted to see her die.’
Anyway, I had already struck first and exposed the black market,
and Lilith had learned Mind Control a chapter earlier than in the original story.
If I wanted to protect others, especially Aria, from harm, I had to take responsibility.
-Throb!
[Debuff: Mind Control]
⚠Resistance Failed⚠
As soon as I equipped the Ring of Domination, my body went numb, as if my mind had been disconnected.
‘It worked!’
Lilith had taken control of my body.
But even under Mind Control, my consciousness didn’t completely disappear.
However, considering my meager Mental Strength stat, I could only communicate with Lilith, the host.
And…
-Junior… can you… hear me?
Lilith’s voice, barely containing her laughter, reached my ears.
When I replied that I could hear her clearly,
-This suits you better, Junior.
Lilith burst into laughter.
-How does it feel to have the tables turned?
Perhaps it was due to everything I had endured so far,
but I allowed her to ramble for a while.
-Want to guess what I’m going to do with your body…?
I didn’t care.
My attention was solely focused on the status window.
-Ding!
‘9 stacks, perfect.’
-Ding!
[Debuff: Mind Control]
[Debuff: Curse of Agony]
As I had anticipated, ‘Mind Control’ overrode ‘Curse of Agony’.
Now it was my turn to laugh.
Due to the debuff bug, Lilith’s mental fortitude would be the only defense against all the curses and agony.
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-I can hear you loud and clear.
“Ah…”
His voice.
Lilith was relieved.
He had actually put on the Ring of Domination!
He was so foolish.
To think he would submit to Mind Control so easily…
All she had to do was give him orders.
“You said you couldn’t accept me as a demon…”
-…
“But I haven’t given up. I’ve been dreaming of this moment… So you can think whatever you want about what I’m about to do.”
Lilith spoke briefly, her voice firm.
“This is an order. Turn me into a demon.”
-Are you… being serious…?
He was under Mind Control.
There would be no refusal.
-Rumble!!!!
“…!”
A wave of unknown pain washed over Lilith.
“Ugh…!”
Excruciating pain, as if her insides were being crushed, threatened to shut down her thoughts.
“Wh-what is this…!”
-I’m sorry, Senior, but did you think becoming a demon was as simple as pinky swearing like children?
“Huh…?”
She tried to see through his eyes, but everything was dark and silent.
As Lilith struggled to understand the situation, Lev’s leisurely voice reached her.
-Controlling a Great Demon’s body like mine inflicts a considerable amount of pain on a human, you see?
“What…?”
-So, I suggest you release the Mind Control now.
“Sh-shut up! I can… endure this much…”
-I doubt it. You look like you’re struggling…
“I have to… I have to become a demon… so this much…!”
-Alright. Let’s see if you’re worthy. Don’t disappoint me.
The one who seemed relaxed and in control… was Lev Denec.
Lilith steeled her resolve.
His appearance when he had visited the student council room, though brief, was unmistakably demonic.
The quality of his mana… it was on par with a Great Demon.
This might be her last chance.
Endure. Persevere. Once the contract was complete, she would order him, this insolent master,
‘My dear Junior…!’
To kill Aria. That bitch.
.
.
.
How much time had passed?
Cynatis, the chamber guardian, observed.
-Why, no, movement?
He hadn’t moved a muscle since entering the chamber.
He wasn’t using magic or mana.
He should be writhing in pain…
But he remained perfectly still, silent.
Right until the time limit was about to expire.
“Professor Cynatis?”
Diena, unaware of the situation, could only try to read her expression.
The curse emanating from the chamber was at a level of 4-5.
In the later stages, it would reach level 5, making it impossible to endure without purification magic.
And calmly dispelling curses in such extreme conditions
was a difficult feat even for third-year students…
It was one of two possibilities.
Either he had fainted,
or he had actually endured it.
-Click!
The chamber door opened.
-!!
Lev Denec simply…
yawned and stretched.
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Kaelan has to have some sorta brainwashing ability, hell he might even be connected to the demons