A Third-Rate Villain’s Sweet Life Exploiting Academy Bugs – Chapter 9

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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If a typical RPG game has the 3 positions of tank, dealer, and healer, “Reincarnated Hero” classifies them as vanguard, middle guard, and rearguard.

Dividing roles according to position is called positioning, corresponding to the beginning of Chapter 1 of “Reincarnated Academy.”

“First, shall we all take a look at this?”

With Instructor Sylvester’s brief remark, a video began to be projected on the large wall at the front through a magic tool.

Soon, black forms appeared.

-Kieeek!

-Kurururu…

They were the twisted appearances of demons.

When I read about them in the text, they didn’t leave much of an impression.

I didn’t look at them closely in the game, but seeing the demons’ faces directly, the degree of grotesqueness was quite shocking.

-Ugh…

-What are those…

It wasn’t just me who thought that way, as the students in the temporary Class C were also slightly frowning in their expressions.

Sylvester began speaking slowly as if it didn’t bother him.

“Even at this very moment, the demon forces are advancing. The empire is urging the awakening of the human race, the so-called successors, to stop them, defend the strongholds with purification stones, and purify the fallen sanctuaries.”

The atmosphere had changed somewhat with just one video.

Perhaps realizing that it wasn’t simply a youthful academy life, tension began to permeate inside.

“Right now, your seniors are probably fighting hard on the frontlines. In other words, the fact that you can train here and lead an academy life is the result built upon someone’s sacrifice, so keep that in mind.”

“Well, I’m sorry to say this from the beginning, but unfortunately, with your current abilities, forget about purifying sanctuaries or conquering dungeons, you’ll have a hard time even taking down the lowest-level demons. In a word, you won’t be of help to the forces.”

No one objected to Sylvester’s subsequent words.

Evidently, their combat ability was non-existent, as they had just completed 2 months of basic training and had just set foot in the academy.

“So, do you know what you need the most right now?”

It probably wasn’t a question that Sylvester expected an answer to, but someone raised their hand.

“Yes, student?”

“It’s the real combat sense, which is also the motto of the academy.”

It was the pink-haired top student, Melissa.

“…That’s right.”

I could hear whispers from right in front of me for a moment.

-That lady is the top student among the freshmen this year?

-She must be at the top in written exams. In practicals, it’s Caeran from Class B.

-Class A is guaranteed for her with that appearance and good grades.

Indeed, the main character, pushed by the author, had a different aura.

The fact that she could speak up in this silence meant she was no ordinary person.

“The only reason you were admitted to this academy is your inherent potential. Nothing else is needed. From now on, the academy will provide numerous trials to the students. In that way, we’ll make the abilities you possess blossom in the shortest period of time through real combat training.”

Sylvester’s voice gradually grew louder.

“In that process, some will give up, be expelled, be despised, and it will be a very difficult path. So if anyone wants to give up, I recommend raising your hand and leaving right now.”

Sylvester elegantly raised his hand and pointed to the door.

-…

Like that, 30 seconds of silence passed.

No one moved.

Well, it’s only natural.

It hasn’t even started yet, so how could they judge hastily?

I also had no choice.

If I had the mentality to be shaken by such intimidating remarks, I would have given up long ago.

“Alright… There’s not a single one in this year’s class. Then I’d like to put you into real combat right away and check your will… But there’s something we need to do before that…”

Is it finally starting?

“We will now begin the positioning. The students whose names are called will choose their position and select their main weapon. Lastly, you’ve probably heard this till your ears fall off, but it’s important, so Vice Instructor Bella will explain.”

As Sylvester stepped back slightly, a woman who seemed to be the vice instructor stepped forward.

“The vanguard is the key personnel who lead the party. Therefore, they need to be confident in managing their stamina, and since they confront demons at the closest range, it’s important to have the conviction to endure exposure to dark magic. Consequently, if you have divinity that can strengthen your conviction, you’re even more suitable.”

It was too apparent for me, who had played the game countless times.

Let’s avoid the vanguard for now.

Just looking at those demons made me feel like my spirit would be crushed.

“Next, those proficient in learning elements, spirits, summoning, enchantment, or spell-type magic, or those who excel in healing-type revelations with divinity, are the casters assigned to the middle guard, which is easier to be protected from enemy attacks. Additional testing will be conducted for this group once the position is determined, as it’s important to measure magic power.”

Hmm…

I felt that Lev, the ‘pseudo-mage candidate,’ would have tried to apply for the middle guard.

Anyway, it’s a meaningless discussion.

“Lastly, for those who can engage in melee combat with a secondary weapon to prepare for long-range attacks without spells or unexpected ambushes, or for those who excel in information gathering or don’t fit into the vanguard or middle guard, we recommend aiming for the rearguard.”

With that, Bella’s explanation ended.

It was elementary.

Because Reincarnated Hero was a simple game.

But as simple as it was, it was difficult.

In the first place, this game was made for hardcore users.

Of course, I played it until I was sick of it,

So I had memorized most of the strategies and could clear them alone if I took my time, but this was actual combat where saving was impossible.

I also controlled the situation by directly possessing the character.

Above all, the protagonist couldn’t dominate and carry from the beginning.

Hence, cooperation with teammates was essential for growth, which was another factor.

Even within the same position, there were several occupations.

In the end, hundreds of combinations could occur depending on how the combination was formed, so it definitely wouldn’t be easy to control all those variables.

“Once you choose a position, you won’t be able to change it for a while, so choose carefully. Now, the prepared student list…”

-Screech!

Before he could finish his sentence, I immediately stood up from my seat.

“Lev Denec, I’ll choose first.”

I had already thought about the positioning, and I needed to test out some things.

[Life Achievement]

[Third-rate confidence!: Earned 10 Supporting Role Points]

As I rushed forward, I could hear whispers around me, probably noticing me.

-He still hasn’t dropped out?

-He’s been sitting in the back since earlier, looking suspicious.

-With what face is he attending?

-Really unsightly.

-Well, since he lost to Edwin, the bottom student, what can he expect to see?

But I ignored them.

No, it was rather good.

There was a reason why I stepped up ridiculously.

It was none other than my succession ability, Recluse…

The fact that no status window appeared, even in this situation, meant that this wasn’t a revelation to actually lower my real-life presence or to act like an absolute loner.

The concept of a succession ability itself was a divine revelation to confront demons, so there was no way it would be a destiny just to turn me into a loner.

In other words, it had a different purpose.

With a satisfied expression, I stood in front of Instructor Sylvester.

That feeling of looking through everything with the barely open gap between his squinted eyes…

“I’ve decided.”

“Hmm… Your decision is quick.”

“Shall I choose?”

“Have you considered it thoroughly?”

“Yes, well.”

At that moment, I felt the vice instructor also looking at me.

Indeed… This academy was established solely to cultivate students to defeat demons.

There would be many from the imperial army, so they probably wouldn’t like someone with a light attitude.

I took the initiative.

“First, for the position… I’m aiming for the rearguard.”

“The rearguard…”

Sylvester furrowed his brows as if asking if there was a specific reason.

And he took out a memo pad the size of his palm and began to examine something.

“I’m aware that you have inherent magic power and mana, so may I ask about your intention?”

“That’s.”

Because I don’t want to be covered in demon blood and flesh by being in the vanguard.

And if I join the middle guard, I might only be able to use Fire or Light, but wouldn’t I just be a burden to the team by acting as a flashlight?

Of course, I couldn’t say that, honestly.

I answered with a smile on my lips.

“Because I think I can do well.”

“…You think you can do well?”

“Yes.”

It wasn’t a lie.

As I thought earlier,

if I applied for a middle guard mage, my premature mana that couldn’t even match an unrefined talent would be exposed, and the vanguard was… the realm of complete lack of talent.

In the end, even by the process of elimination, the only remaining option was the rearguard.

In the original game, the rearguard was also a position for miscellaneous roles.

At least in the rearguard, there was a way to utilize my current abilities.

“…”

Vice Instructor Bella still had a displeased expression.

She probably knew about my family background, too, and it wasn’t like she had never seen cases like me.

She was worrying about the ending of such individuals, knowing it.

Sylvester nodded and said to me.

“Alright. The auxiliary magic-type weapons are available over there… I wish you luck.”

In the rearguard position, the only type that intensively utilizes magic power is the enchantment type that can pre-cast spells.

Sylvester also naturally thought that I would use body-strengthening auxiliary magic.

I didn’t follow his instructions and just stared blankly at him,

“…?”

“…”

Sylvester tilted his head slightly and asked me.

“Well, do you have anything else to say?”

“I’m thinking of being an archer.”

“…!”

[Life Achievement]

[Third-rate obstinacy!: Earned 10 Supporting Role Points]

‘This is surprisingly sweet…’

Sylvester’s expression changed subtly.

-Isn’t the Denec family a magic family?

-I don’t know, that guy is a bit strange…

-Wouldn’t it be better for him? Considering he was beaten by a country bumpkin in the entrance exam, he has no talent at all.

As I blurted out about being an archer, the atmosphere here quickly turned hostile.

-Can he handle the competitiveness of archers?

-Who knows. I heard some elves also enrolled in this year’s class, so it will be difficult for him to survive.

-He’ll probably drop out.

“…Once you choose, you won’t be able to change it for a while. Even so, are you saying you’ll be an archer?”

“Yes. I’m serious.”

Let me point out one thing about “Reincarnated Hero,”

It’s not that reactions like

-Hey, hey, that guy says he’s going to be an archer?

-Is that guy seriously going to pick up a bow?

Come out just because of the ordinary profession of an archer.

Even in this world, archery is a prevalent profession with a long tradition, necessary, and very common.

However, it’s different only in this academy.

There’s no problem with anyone learning archery.

All academy students are obligated to receive education on archery, and it’s even recommended as a ‘secondary weapon.’

However, using it as your primary or secondary weapon is different because it determines your major.

Choosing a bow as your primary weapon means entering a competitive system with students who share the same weapon type,

In the case of bows, like magic, family background and race have a significant influence, so there are no cases of magic families choosing them.

In other words, in “Reincarnated Hero,” all characters could only build according to their predetermined destiny due to their respective family or unique characteristics.

Some weirdos played ignoring this, but then it would become the difficulty level of using Aria, who was essentially a healer, as an assassin.

In the first place, they admitted me after seeing my magic potential, so if I suddenly said I would do something else, it would also be awkward for the academy.

He fixed his gaze on my face and stretched out his right arm, pointing.

“…Alright. Okay. Choose your weapon over there.”

As I took a step, I heard one more remark from him.

“If it’s something you’re good at… it would be more persuasive if you prove it with results.”

Sylvester’s gaze seemed to follow me until the very end.

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