I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 1

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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I really did decide to write this novel seriously.

Thinking that if I just kept churning out fictional stories aimlessly over and over again, when would I ever become a writer?

I started with the mindset of absolutely seeing it through to completion, no matter what happened.

Perhaps my fervent wish reached the heavens.

I was fortunate to find good management, successfully monetizing my work, and began earning enough income to not worry about making a living.

However, towards the end of the novel that had been maintaining decent viewership numbers on its way to completion, a series of misfortunes piled up and I eventually hit a slump.

I couldn’t write.

No matter how hard I forced myself, I couldn’t produce more than 1,000 words, only strange jumbles of text.

It wasn’t like this before.

I used to write freely just by sitting at my desk.

It was as if something had broken down – I simply could not write anymore.

Still, unable to defy my manager’s urging, I managed to publish about 10 more chapters, albeit sluggishly and while butchering the release schedule.

– “Author, you came back in just 3 days but the writing quality dropped even further. I’m realizing there’s an underground below the bottom.”

– “Isn’t there a lack of story progression these days? Where did the main character go, and why do these weird characters like Yulian and Yuliuson keep showing up instead…”

– “I guess that’s just how it is now.”

Of course, the readers’ reactions were lukewarm, to say the least.

The view count was cut in half from the chapter before last.

That’s how I lost both my ability and motivation to write.

I no longer had the energy to force anything out.

– “Author. But you have to give us an ending, no matter what.”

This comment was the one that pierced my heart the most.

I know. I know the ending is right around the corner.

All that’s left is for the protagonist to lead the human forces they’ve assembled into the final battle against the hostile mana forces.

I, the author, know better than anyone that the ending will come within 30 chapters.

But what am I supposed to do if I can’t write?

No matter how much I rage, make a fuss, or do all sorts of ridiculous things, what am I supposed to do if I can’t write?

“Fucking hell…….. I want to write too……..”

After tearing at my hair, I eventually placed my hands on the keyboard.

I ended up doing one of the things an author should never do.

– “Author. But you have to give us an ending.”

> “What do you want me to do if I can’t write?”

Arguing with readers.

Unable to hold back my anger, I ended up picking a fight with a reader.

By the time I came to my senses, it was already too late.

Even if I deleted the comment now, the notification record would still remain.

> “Well, you should have made a better choice and concentrated then.”

“This dumbass-”

The insult slipped out without me realizing.

Did I not ‘choose and concentrate’ because I didn’t want to?

This guy is completely out of his mind.

> “May I help you, author?”

A reply immediately followed.

Help with what?

Surely not with writing the ending?

“Heh. Who are you?”

Like he could write it for me or something.

What a ridiculous reader.

Still, if there was a way for this pathetic novel to get an ending,

Even if the final chapter only got two-digit views, I’d be willing to accept help from a lowlife if it meant I could give it an ending.

> “Yes. Please help me.”

I hit enter, then leaned back against the backrest as if collapsing.

What am I even doing right now?

When I should be writing at a time like this.

……..Even if I did write, I probably wouldn’t produce more than a few words before tearing my hair out again.

> “I’ll wish you luck. Hope you’re able to write the ending you want.”

“You little shit.”

A terse reply followed.

So after saying you’d help, all you’re offering is to wish me luck?

Anyone can cheer me on.

Even our parents in heaven are probably doing that.

Ah, I’m the fool for believing this guy would actually do something.

“Haah……..”

I took off my glasses and tightly shut my eyes.

After staring at the monitor all day, my eyes were indeed too dry.

And yet, I couldn’t write a single word today either.

But I should write at least a little.

Even if it’s just 500 words of content that will get me criticized by readers for not making progress, I should still write.

It was at that moment, as I opened my eyes with those thoughts in mind:

“Ugh…….. Why is this happening?”

A wave of dizziness struck me, as if someone was grabbing my head and shaking it violently.

My feet felt grounded, but my vision spun and everything blurred.

***

Finally, when the dizziness subsided and the headache stopped, I opened my eyes again.

Immediately, my vision was filled with white.

Had I accidentally pressed Alt+Tab and opened Notepad?

“……..?”

No.

This wasn’t a computer screen, but white paper.

When I came to my senses, I realized there was a pen in my right hand.

What’s going on? What am I writing here?

-#### #### #####

Filling the paper were strange characters that looked gibberish.

Judging by their uniform size and font, they seemed to be printed rather than handwritten.

But what is this anyway?

“# ##? ## #####.”

“Yes?”

I lifted my head at the unfamiliar voice.

An unfamiliar outfit, an unfamiliar language, an unfamiliar man……..

Holding out his hand as if demanding something from me – just what situation is this?

I was definitely in my room just a moment ago, wasn’t I?

[Data Transfer Complete.]

[Stat Setup Complete.]

[Difficulty too high, readjusting…….]

[Awakened Abilities.]

[Ability: Translation]

[Ability: View]

[Ability: Selection and Concentration]

[Ability: Memory of True Self]

Suddenly, subtitles of some kind scrolled rapidly across my vision.

They went by so quickly that I couldn’t properly read what they said.

Something about data, settings, difficulty adjusting, and such……..?

“Submit it, I said. Time’s up. Hand it over.”

“……..?”

The man who had been spouting unintelligible words suddenly spoke in Korean.

No, it was more accurate to say it was ‘translated’ into Korean.

Was it because of that ‘Translation’ thing that flashed by earlier?

And the paper that had been in my hands was now being held by the man.

– Freya Imperial University Admission Application……..

As the man walked away, I glimpsed the words written at the bottom of the paper.

Freya Imperial University.

It sounded very familiar, but where had I heard it before?

……..Huh?

“Freya Imperial University?!”

“Whoa there.”

“Why’s he freaking out all of a sudden?”

At the murmurs around me, I finally looked around.

There were people lined up along one wall of the corridor.

And I was standing right in the middle of them.

Freya Imperial University.

The setting that served as the main backdrop for the novel I wrote.

But this place looks like…….. the admissions exam site for the Imperial University, doesn’t it?

“Next. Test taker #3. Proceed to Interview Room #1.”

“Next. Test taker #4. Proceed to Interview Room #2.”

What the hell is going on here?

First, let me calmly assess the situation.

This medieval-looking corridor with pillars and a red fantasy-style carpet rolled out.

And those vividly colored heads of hair – red, gold, green…… among others.

Add to that the unfamiliar language (though I hear it as Korean now), and the words ‘Freya Imperial University.’

No matter how I look at it, it seems I’ve been reincarnated into the novel I wrote.

‘But why the hell?’

The answer to that question came to me quickly.

– “May I help you, author?”

It was undoubtedly the doing of that dumbass who wrote that comment.

When he said things like wishing me luck and hoping I could write the ending I wanted, could he have meant……..

For me to enter the novel directly and write the ending myself?

“Damn it.”

Is this hidden camera prank? Or some kind of hypnotherapy?

There’s no way this is reality, right?

“Test taker #10.”

“……..Huh?”

“No talking while waiting in line.”

“Ugh…….. Yes…….”

One of the staff suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

It didn’t seem like they used much force based on how their arm muscles moved, but

I hunched over, feeling as though my shoulder blade was being crushed by excruciating pain.

Well, if it hurts this badly, it’s probably not a dream……..

Were the Imperial University’s staff always this strong?

No, I’m just weak.

‘Whose body did I even reincarnate into……..?’

Ignoring the lingering pain in my shoulder, I raised both hands to examine them.

Large, calloused palms.

Doesn’t seem to be a noble mage based on these.

A noble knight candidate perhaps?

[Displaying Stats.]

[Vitality: 15]

[Strength: 12]

[Agility: 5]

[Stamina: 5]

[Mana: 1]

[Mana Attunement: 1]

[Mana Sensitivity: 75]

[Calculation Ability: 8]

Subtitles similar to the ones I saw earlier suddenly flashed across my vision again.

Stats?

The concept of stats didn’t exist in my novel.

‘Ah……..’

Come to think of it, it did.

While it never appeared in the story, I had recorded character stats in a separate setting file to balance their abilities.

But I never mentioned that out loud as the author, so how did it get reflected here?

In any case, if these really are my body’s current stats, it’s a big problem.

The average stats I had set for characters in my novel was 10. Many of the main characters towards the end had stats exceeding 100 for certain abilities.

But aside from Vitality, Strength, and Mana Sensitivity, all my other stats are below 10……..?

Shit.

“……..Test taker.”

“……..”

“Test taker #10.”

“……..Huh? Yes?”

“To the special exam site.”

When I came to, I realized the others who had been in line were gone, and I was the only one left at the front.

The staff gestured toward a large door at the end of the corridor.

It didn’t seem like any of the other test takers had gone through that door until now.

Why only me?

“Why just me for the special-”

“Do not waste time.”

“Yes……..!”

As the staff tried to grab my shoulder again, I hurried away from there.

– Special Exam Site

The temporary nameplate hung above the door.

As I looked up at it, I couldn’t help but swallow hard, my body tensing up instinctively.

……..My body was reacting on its own.

Even though I had no idea what was inside, my body seemed to vaguely know and automatically became tense.

I don’t really remember much about the entrance exam since it was such an early episode in the story. What was this special exam site for again?

Not that it matters to me.

I’ll just go in, say it was a mistake and that I have no intention of taking the entrance exam, then leave.

And first, I need to get out of the Imperial University so I can calmly assess this situation.

“……..Excuse me.”

As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a massive room without a single window.

No, can I even call this a room? The ceiling was at least three stories high. Rather than a room, this space would be better described as an auditorium or warehouse.

“Test taker #10! Come in! Close the door behind you!”

“Huh.”

And from the distance, a clear, high-pitched woman’s voice rang out.

The moment I heard that voice, the moment I saw that hazy silhouette in the distance, I immediately knew who it was.

Though I had never actually heard or seen her before, she looked exactly as I had imagined.

Alexia von dem Kloistere.

The chairwoman of Freya Imperial University.

……..And so strong she was called a Majin (魔人: Majin can be used to represent an extremely powerful character who has undergone a transformation, or whos power is inhuman in nature.).

Alexia, who had only been described in text form, was now standing right before my eyes.

“Test taker #10, if I’m not mistaken…….. that would be Schlus Hainkel, correct?”

“Madam Chairwoman. This is a blind interview. Mentioning names is-”

“It’s fine! The special exam is entirely at my discretion anyway, right?”

“Well, that may be true, but……..”

A character from the novel I created was alive, breathing, moving, and talking.

This was a situation every novelist had dreamed of witnessing.

Then perhaps that person might also be in this novel world……..

No.

That’s impossible. That person only appeared after the story had already become something other than a novel.

That person wouldn’t be in this world.

Anyway, so the name of the person I reincarnated into is Schlus Hainkel.

……..I don’t recall that name at all. Not one bit.

A nameless extra who only had a brief cameo early on?

But that couldn’t be. With a name like that, he must be a commoner……..

“Schlus?”

“Yes?”

“Then let’s begin the exam!”

“Ah, about that, there’s been a misunderstanding. I actually-”

“It’s been so long! Like 3 years, hasn’t it?”

Alexia’s booming voice cut me off, as usual.

Her selfish, overly cheerful personality that showed no consideration for others – just as I had carelessly written it.

“It has been 3 years, right? Am I right?”

“Yes. The last time for those hoping to double major was 3 years ago.”

“……..?”

“Combat Magics! And Elemental Magics were the ones you chose, right? Those aiming for multiple majors are required to take my special exam! So, are you ready for the test?”

Double major?

What is she talking about?

‘Oh crap.’

That admission application form earlier.

I vaguely remember there being multiple boxes to check for desired majors.

Could it be that in my confusion from the sudden reincarnation, I accidentally checked two boxes with my pen?

“Ah, no. There seems to be some misunderstanding-”

“It’s fine if you’re not ready! Then I’ll start!”

Would you listen to me, you crazy woman?

If that’s the case, why ask if I’m ready?

“Alright! Let’s begin!”

“Wait, you bi-”

The moment I was about to spew an insult, my vision abruptly turned pitch black.

I had clearly moved my lips to finish the curse, but only the first syllable “bi-” came out before the sound was cut off.

‘What is this?’

It wasn’t a complete loss of senses.

I could still feel my limbs, only my sight and hearing were blocked.

As I moved my arms and legs to inspect what was happening, I suddenly felt a ripple.

Not the sensation of wind or anything tactile.

Nor was it sound.

It was a ripple that couldn’t be perceived by the human five senses.

Though it was my first time experiencing it, I knew what it was. This was undoubtedly the mana shockwave emitted by a magic array activating.

Even though I had only described it in writing in my novel, I could sense that shockwave with a sixth sense.

[Quest: Escape from the Boundary of Terror.]

[Difficulty: ★★★★☆]

[Reward: 3 Store Coins]

“……..?”

Those subtitles appeared again.

Quest? That wasn’t a concept in my novel.

Was it given to me by whoever sent me here?

The Boundary of Terror, huh.

It sounds vaguely familiar but I can’t quite recall.

In any case, if that’s the nature of this boundary, escaping it through normal means would be impossible.

Could it be telling me to use those ‘Abilities’ I was given earlier?

[Ability: Translation]

[Ability: View]

[Ability: Selection and Concentration]

[Ability: Memory of True Self]

Just thinking about the abilities caused the list to scroll by automatically.

Selection and Concentration. What kind of ability is that?

[Ability: Selection and Concentration]

[Rank: Legendary]

[Description: Allows instantaneous amplification of a specific stat once per day. Time limit: 3 seconds. Amplification amount: +99]

[Reader’s Note: I included this so that in this life, you would make the right choices and see the story through to the ending by concentrating.]

I understand.

So if I use this skill on Strength, my Strength stat of 12 would become 12+99 = 111, allowing me to temporarily wield power on the level of the strongest beings in this world’s setting.

Though only for 3 seconds.

The reader’s note left there is completely lacking in tact as expected.

……..In any case, which stat should I raise to escape this boundary?

The answer is obvious.

I need to raise my Calculation Ability.

In my novel, magic manifests as phenomena that occur when “arrays” powered by mana are activated.

So if I can dismantle the array, the magic will stop. I described this process of dismantling arrays as “calculation.”

Like a computer calculating complex formulas, reversing the array calculations to find security flaws and exploit them will cause the array to dismantle.

‘Selection and Concentration. Use on Calculation Ability.’

As soon as I muttered those words internally, the effect immediately took hold.

Suddenly, my consciousness split into two, three, no, dozens of separate streams, and information flooded in like a tidal wave into each fragmented mind.

If my sight and hearing had been split into dozens of streams as well instead of just being blocked, I can’t imagine how overwhelming that would have been.

In any case, I only had 3 seconds.

Closing my eyes, I gently analyzed the mana ripples bumping into me, as if caressing them.

Though an outsider to magic, my brain automatically performed decillions of calculations per second, deducing the array’s form from the rhythmic ripples and grasping its structure.

As I mathematically visualized the array’s code-like structure, beautiful geometric patterns arose in my mind.

No matter how I tried to disturb them, the shining patterns held firmly in place, showing no reaction.

However, there was one small, dimly glowing point. Instinctively, I disturbed that point, and cracks began spreading from the core, rupturing the beautiful patterns.

Tzzsshh……. Tzzsshh……..!

Finally, as the exquisite array shattered, the veil of darkness lifted.

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