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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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One of the distinguishing features between major and minor guilds in the Revenant Empire was the ownership of magic towers.
The Empire possessed over 40 magic towers.
Therefore, having a magic tower at a guild’s headquarters meant easy access to any location within the Empire.
Especially with the ongoing demon incursions, guilds capable of supporting the Empire’s border towers were actively expanding their influence by subjugating monsters.
“Mid-level Manager Sera Cervantes wishes to meet with Lord Regillus.”
“Let her in.”
Crow’s Fey Guild, strictly off-limits to the public.
Regillus’s private office was located within the most uniquely designed building on the guild’s vast grounds.
-Click. Click.
The woman with short black hair approached Regillus, her steps heavy.
“I apologize.”
Regillus gazed out the window, while she bowed deeply, her head lowered at a 90-degree angle.
“Report.”
His cold tone made her heart pound.
“B-rank student Lev Denec… has rejected our recruitment offer.”
“I see.”
“…?”
Regillus’s lack of reaction gave Sera a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps… she could get through this unscathed.
“Keep an eye on him.”
“Yes, sir.”
While Regillus held a passing interest in Lev Denec,
it was just that: passing.
The recruitment offer was merely a test,
though his refusal had piqued Regillus’s curiosity.
“What about Kaelan’s status?”
Kaelan Heath was their most promising recruit among the freshmen.
Exceptional talent, brilliant mind, proficient in both swordsmanship and magic.
He was the embodiment of a perfect warrior.
However, he was also unpredictable.
While countless guilds were vying for him,
Crow’s Fey had secured a temporary contract for the duration of the break, offering him mid-level management authority
and complete freedom of action.
However, Kaelan, who was expected to meet their expectations, was showing signs of instability.
And they had many important plans that required his participation.
“Well… according to the dispatched assessors… his mana signature is unstable.”
“You’re saying his condition isn’t good?”
“Yes. It stabilizes temporarily during training but declines during rest. The fluctuations are too significant to be attributed to simple fatigue…”
“Your assessment?”
“It’s on a downward trend, so we need to observe him further…”
“Ha!”
Regillus let out a single, derisive chuckle.
He had already taken measures regarding Kaelan.
Regillus hadn’t risen to his position through kindness.
But he was known for his prudent nature, always listening to his subordinates’ opinions, a trait that had earned him recognition for his leadership.
He spoke coldly, his tone dismissive, like a master who had grown tired of his servant.
“Incompetent.”
“…Excuse me?”
“You’re always lacking in practicality, Sera. All you do is recite data, unable to offer a single solution. You avoid taking responsibility.”
“…”
“That’s why your background, your current position, that’s your limit. Do you think it’s acceptable for a member of Crow’s Fey to fail to recruit a single B-rank student?”
“… I apologize…”
“If you understand, then get out.”
“….”
‘Grit…’
Sera’s teeth ground together.
It was the first misstep that had set this in motion. If that brat, Lev Denec, hadn’t rejected their offer, she wouldn’t be subjected to this criticism.
“I won’t disappoint you again.”
“Just do your job, like a good dog.”
“…Understood.”
Her primary task was to monopolize the spoils from low-level monster raids participated in by lower-ranking members.
If she followed protocol, it wasn’t a difficult task.
But… before that…
-You’re trying to separate your personal feelings from your job, aren’t you?
-No.
‘That arrogant brat… I’ll make him pay…’
And she knew just the person to use.
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-Group C, Match 13 of Day 7, will begin shortly. Spectators are requested to proceed to Coliseum C.
The final day of the Clarice Academy Ranking Matches.
Having finalized my item farming plan, I had registered anonymously as a mercenary for the raid organized by Crow’s Fey.
Since mercenaries could register on the day of the raid,
they didn’t require much personal information.
I was currently at the Arena of Strife, waiting to watch the duel between Edwin and Kaelan.
At the entrance, I overheard an interesting conversation between students.
-Are you here to watch this too?
-Of course.
-A big match… or not so big, depending on how you look at it…
The matches that typically drew the most attention were, of course, those between S-rank students.
Melissa, Lily, Selena, and Aveline had already faced their opponents, securing one or two victories each.
They were probably deciding which guild to join.
The final match was between Kaelan and Edwin.
According to the original story, Kaelan would initially dominate the duel,
then Edwin, pushed to his limits, would turn the tables with his [Execution Sword].
Finally, Kaelan would use ‘Copy’ to snatch victory…
It was a classic example of the author indulging in self-insert wish fulfillment, a segment that usually made readers want to drop the story.
However, this time, it would be different.
-Ding!
Yesterday, during my last training session with Edwin,
I had looked him in the eye and said,
-You have to win.
-Huh…?
-Cha-ching!
And then, I used the Black Armor’s orb on him.
His stats skyrocketed, and he gained the unique skills ‘Iron Barrier’ and ‘Black Dragon’s Blessing.’
It was a bit of a sacrifice,
but only one Blessing-type skill could be active per character, and I could always acquire a better one later.
And I had the most valuable reward, the Black Armor’s Tendon.
Using it to replace my crossbow string
would create synergy with a dark-attribute demon weapon like the Ash Grey Scatter Shot, granting additional effects.
And there was one more crucial detail.
-Ding!
‘So it’s come to this.’
Crow’s Fey, having sensed something amiss with Kaelan, had implanted something in his body.
Well, they had recruited him, so it was natural for them to keep a close eye on him and notice the change…
My original plan was to turn Kaelan into a liability, a drain on their resources, disrupting Crow’s Fey’s plans.
But they had made a bold move.
‘Kaelan wasn’t supposed to acquire demonic power until Chapter 5…’
A Demonic Circuit, used to transform humans into demons.
A Demonic Stigma, used to transform beings into monsters.
And a Demonic Covenant, used to transform beings into demons.
They had implanted a Demonic Circuit in Kaelan, similar to what Lilith had tried to do to me.
Crow’s Fey utilizing demonic power, obtained through contracts with demons, to enhance their guild members was a canonical event in the latter half of the story.
But changing the prototype to Kaelan was a significant variable.
The circuit hadn’t been activated yet,
and since his capacity for black magic was exceptionally high, he wouldn’t lose control and explode immediately,
but he was essentially a walking time bomb… ready to succumb to darkness at any moment.
‘Him retaining the ‘Copy’ skill would be disastrous…’
But the author’s self-indulgence had been sacrificed in exchange for an accelerated plot.
This was a good thing.
Crow’s Fey’s alliance with the demons would also happen sooner than in the original story,
so I could sabotage them without worrying about disrupting the plot…
-S-rank Kaelan Heath and C-rank Edwin Gwendeth, please step forward.
Regardless of my thoughts, the sacred duel of Clarice Academy commenced.
-Match begins in 5 seconds.
-Waaaaah!!
-Go underdog!!
-Show us what you’ve got!!
-Begin!
-Whoosh!!
The familiar pattern of battle unfolded,
just as described in the fanfic.
Kaelan, utilizing his dual-wielding style,
launched a relentless barrage of attacks, taunting his opponent.
-Clang!
Edwin, on the other hand, silently blocked his attacks with one or both hands.
The fact that the match hadn’t ended in a single blow caused a stir among the audience.
-What? This is closer than I thought.
-No, the C-rank is clearly being pushed back.
-Right. He just got lucky with his blocks.
What followed was predictable.
As the duel progressed, Edwin was gradually pushed back. While he avoided taking any critical hits, he stumbled and barely managed to stay on his feet.
-As expected, he can’t keep up.
-Underdog, are you coming to your senses?
-It’s over for those who bet against Kaelan.
-Thud!
Edwin, cornered, stumbled and fell with only one strike remaining.
And it was at this moment…
‘I commend your courage. Farewell.’
I saw Kaelan’s lips move, mouthing the exact line from the fanfic.
‘Right on cue.’
Then,
-Haaaaah!!
Edwin’s battle cry echoed throughout the arena.
As the cliché dictated, the protagonist always had an awakening… when pushed to the brink.
As Edwin fully awakened his ‘Execution’ ability,
-Whoa??? Kaelan’s being pushed back!
-No way!
-What??? How??
Kaelan tried to use ‘Copy,’
but unfortunately for him, it was a skill he no longer possessed.
-?!
Even in the fanfic, Kaelan’s expression of surprise hadn’t been this palpable.
The duel’s outcome was a foregone conclusion.
There was nothing left to see. I turned and left the coliseum.
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In the original Reincarnation Academy fanfic,
Kaelan was meant to prevent the demon incursions that Edwin would have otherwise faced in Chapters 1 through 4, gaining favor with the heroines in the process.
His descent into darkness wouldn’t begin until Chapter 5, after acquiring the demonic sword.
‘He wasn’t supposed to become a demon himself, but use a demonic weapon, like I did…’
But his current state was different from the original story.
This meant Edwin, no, I… had to deal with the demon incursions in Kaelan’s stead, up until Chapter 4.
So these were the mission objectives…
They seemed simple enough, but they were intricately linked.
However, without the author’s interventions or that ridiculously overpowered ‘Copy’ skill, it was manageable.
My first priority was
‘to participate in the raid and obtain the Ring of Inscription.’
If I collected my share of the winnings, I would have over 2000 gold coins.
[Memorize: Ring of Inscription].
Since Regillus also used this item extensively,
I needed to acquire it before it fell into Crow’s Fey’s hands, indirectly nerfing him.
Just as I was steeling my resolve,
“It’s been a while.”
“…!”
A familiar voice called out.
A cool, distant tone, with a sharp, delicate resonance.
It was Selena, the half-elf who had taught me Wind Archery.
“…You seem to have anticipated the outcome and left early.”
As an archer, and an elf with an inherent wariness towards humans, Selena was perceptive.
“…”
-Waaaaaaaaah!!
A roar of cheers erupted from Coliseum C.
Judging from the deafening applause…
Edwin must have won.
“The Royal Class circle is gone. Kaelan… he’s fully committed to Crow’s Fey.”
Selena, her sharp, beautiful eyes fixed on me, said,
“…This was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?”
“I have no idea… what you’re talking about.”
I walked past her.
Ignoring the gazes of those around me, I focused on my goal. I needed to become stronger.
Starting from Chapter 3, I would have to face the demons directly.
“I… suppose I should thank you. There’s been a lot of friction between the female students because of Kaelan.”
“… ”
“I also heard you looked after Lily during the Dungeon Exploration Practice, so thank you for that as well.”
Since when did Selena become so attentive to others?
She was a target in the upcoming Chapter 3.
‘Selena, you…’
I almost warned her to be careful.
She was, after all, one of my favorite characters from ‘Reincarnation Hero.’
And to be thanked by her…
“I am curious, though… what are your true intentions?”
“There’s nothing to be curious about. I just want to graduate from the academy.”
At my reply, Selena simply smiled faintly.
.
.
.
And so, the first break at the academy was fast approaching.
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Bye bye, Self-insert character
It’s been an annoying run and nobody will miss him
Inner peace. Self insert half dead, now we to conquer more good heroines while the princess cries
No no no, I won’t feel at ease until I read this guy is dead. Although I’m halfway rest assured now that he has a demon circuit embedded in him.