I Possessed a Character in an Academy Without a Protagonist – Chapter 3

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The novel I had written, “Sent as a Spy to the Academy,” had the setting of a vast single continent as its background world. A new continent would be discovered later, but that was much further down the line…

The nation ruling over this continent was the Freya Empire. Ten years ago, the empire had launched a full-scale invasion of the Trud Kingdom after it rejected demands for annexation.

Despite the empire having over a tenfold advantage in economic power, military might, and population, the Trud Kingdom had managed to continuously wear down the imperial forces, eventually leading to an armistice agreement.

However, this was only a temporary peace. While the kingdom had suffered crippling damage, the empire was able to recover its military strength within six years and resume the war.

As such, the Trud Kingdom had changed its grand strategy. It would dispatch a large number of spies into the empire before the war restarted to carry out simultaneous sabotage.

By mobilizing all the separatists and anarchists within the empire, they aimed to push it to the brink of collapse.

The protagonist, Siegfried Hertlocker, was sent as the vanguard to the Imperial Academy. His mission was to carry out the worst terrorist attack in history on the ‘Decisive Day’ by massacring all the students and faculty.

However, Hertlocker, who had been mentally worn down from being used as a weapon of war, regained his emotions by meeting various people at the Imperial Academy.

[T/N: where can I read this novel author please I’m begging u…]

Troubled by the stress of eventually having to kill those he had befriended, Hertlocker realized the existence of a far greater common enemy to humanity.

In the end, instead of destroying the empire, Hertlocker realized the need for unity and began working to unite human forces into one…

That was the main premise of the story.

“Damn it…”

It was already ruined.

Because of me, Hertlocker couldn’t gain admission.

Now this guy would never regain his emotions, remain oblivious to the common enemy, and continue causing terrorist acts to destroy the empire.

The hero destined for humanity had completely become a villain.

For reference, there were no additional admissions to the Imperial Academy, so even if I canceled my own admission, Hertlocker wouldn’t be accepted.

“What do I do now…”

If the kingdom’s sabotage succeeded and the empire collapsed, humanity would face extinction.

Without the named characters from the empire, the lone protagonist would never be able to withstand the imminent great wave.

I had set up the power balance that way, so it was certain.

The reader who had sent me here had said as much. That he would help me bring about an ending.

To return to the real world, I had to reach the ending by any means, even if the story diverged from the original.

“Alright then, shit. I’ve decided.”

I slammed down the empty beer mug.

With that, I made up my mind.
I was prepared.

My plan going forward was as follows:

First, I would enroll at the Imperial Academy.

Then, I would rally all the named characters from the Imperial Academy to my side to stop Hertlocker’s sabotage.

Finally, I would somehow persuade the protagonist to…

“This is nonsense already.”

It didn’t make sense from the start.

If a student from an enemy nation interfered with every act of sabotage, only to suddenly ask the protagonist for help, how would he react?

Being designated as the top priority target for assassination would be the best-case scenario.

There was no answer, damn it.

I couldn’t proceed with my plan while excluding the protagonist as the final boss.

This guy, who used to flirt with me shamelessly every day in the story, was now on the opposite side, making things impossibly difficult.

“No choice then.”

There was only one way.

I would make it so Hertlocker had no choice but to cooperate with me.
Even if I had to beat him down.
Even if I had to destroy the kingdom.
I would take everything away from Hertlocker so that he would be forced to be on my side in the final battle, no matter what.

*

“I’m screwed.”

In the darkening night, it had been almost 6 hours since I left the pub, and I was still wandering the streets.

The reason was simple.
I had nowhere to go.

It’s not like I did nothing for those 6 hours.
I walked for an hour to get to the municipal office to find out where this Schlus Hainkel guy lived.

But all I got there was-

“Schlus Hainkel… There’s no information on him.”

Just the fact that Schlus didn’t seem to be living in the capital.

Well, it made sense, since only bourgeoisie commoners could afford to live in the capital, with its astronomical land prices.

Thinking he might have at least booked a lodging nearby, I checked every inn in the area.

“I’m sorry. We don’t have a guest named Schlus Hainkel-”
“There are no reservations under that name.”
“It’s not showing up. Perhaps the spelling is-”

But I had no success.
I thoroughly searched every low-end inn, but couldn’t find any trace.
Or maybe Schlus didn’t have a place to stay from the beginning…

“Oh no way.”

As I walked down an alley, I noticed a pile of old newspapers stacked in a corner.
Maybe that was where Schlus had spent the previous night.
Maybe Schlus had come to the capital penniless, solely to take the Imperial Academy entrance exam.

The ominous premonition was slowly becoming a reality.

“Tch…”

It was already late at night, and raindrops were starting to fall.
I was hungry, but I only had 50 terions left.
In this situation, there were only two options.
One was to barge into someplace and beg them to let me stay the night in exchange for any work. The other was-

“I should go back.”
To the Imperial Academy.
The latter would probably be better.

***

“Are you done sorting?”
“Yes, I’m done, examiner.”
“I’m no longer an examiner now.”
“Ah, right. Head Professor, here are the final results.”

In the exam scoring room, Head Professor Ludwig received the entrance exam results and frowned.

Erica von der Lichtenburg.
Edengard Trie von dem Schulzenburg.
Ainz von Wiegenschstein.

[T/N: Bitch what???]

The names of prodigies who had been called geniuses from a young age were all listed there.

But what bothered Ludwig was none other than the name at the very top.
Schlus Hainkel.

The only commoner among this year’s admitted students.
And not just a commoner, but the top student.

That fact alone made Schlus utterly unpleasant to Ludwig, whose belief in the superiority of nobles ran deep.

“Ah, is this about that commoner?”
“……”
“I heard he got a perfect score on the special exam? How was it? You were there, Head Professor.”

“Remarkable for a commoner. But that’s all.”

Ludwig clicked his tongue and handed the paper back.

From that point on, Ludwig’s mind was occupied with thoughts of how to expel Schlus.
Since the headmistress favored him, ordinary methods wouldn’t work.
Ludwig was deep in thought, seeking a more subtle way that couldn’t be held against him.

“Professor. An outsider is here to see you.”
“Me? Who is it?”

“Well, not you specifically, Head Professor… Since they asked for the person in charge of the dormitories, I thought you would be the right person.”

“So who is it then?”
“Schlus Hainkel. The top admitted student for this year…”

“……”

The professor held up a crystal ball.
The crystal ball showed Schlus standing upright at the school gates, getting drenched in the rain.

As his hollow eyes slowly moved and met Ludwig’s gaze, Ludwig couldn’t help but flinch in surprise.

The surveillance artifact installed at the gate should have been shielded from any means of observation.
But just then, whether by chance or not, his gaze turned elsewhere.

Only then did Ludwig exhale and speak.

“Let him in. Tell him to come to my office.”
“Yes, Head Professor.”

Ludwig turned around, tightening his tie, a faint smile on his lips as if it was a good opportunity.

*

“…Schlus Hainkel.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Head Professor Ludwig.”

“……”

As the disreputable-looking Schlus Hainkel entered the office, Ludwig’s lips twisted.

Rainwater was dripping from his soaked body, wetting the carpet.

A mage capable of applying to the Imperial Academy should have been able to use at least a basic flame spell, unless he had exhausted his mana somewhere or was deliberately trying to make trouble.

Ludwig found the latter more plausible, but without evidence, he couldn’t accuse him of it.

As Ludwig narrowed his eyes and snapped his fingers, the fireplace roared to life.

“…Go and dry yourself.”
“Yes, thank you.”

Schlus nodded curtly, then calmly went and sat in front of the fireplace.

It was a demeanor completely lacking the characteristic servility commoners showed when dealing with nobles.

Even minor nobles would act submissively when facing Ludwig…

Either he had lost his fear, had some underlying belief, or was ignorant of the prestige of House Wiegenschstein…

In any case, he was a strange one.

“So why did you come to see me?”
“Is my admission as the top student confirmed now?”
“The announcement is tomorrow. You can confirm it then.”
“But the results must have already been decided, no?”
“Even if so, I have no obligation to tell you. I asked why you came to see me. Answer the question.”

“The privileges of being the top student. I want to receive the single dorm room and maintenance stipend in advance.”

“State your reason. It’s not possible without a valid reason.”

“I have no place to stay and no money.”

“……”

Ludwig’s mouth closed at the straightforward answer.

It was outrageous enough to demand the top student privileges before even enrolling, but the reason he gave was even more ridiculous.

Normally, commoners would try to hide their weaknesses (especially economic vulnerabilities that nobles could exploit) as much as possible.

But Schlus stated it boldly, as if it wasn’t even a weakness.

What on earth gave him such confidence?

As a way to exploit that weakness immediately came to mind, Ludwig opened his lips with a faint smile.

“It goes against the rules, but… Alright. I’ll grant it.”

“Thank y-”

“But there’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

“You must maintain your position as the top student until the end of the first semester. If you lose the top spot even once, you will be expelled.”

“……”

“I’m breaking the rules to show you a kindness. Isn’t it only right that you display the appropriate performance in return?”

As Schlus’ expression hardened in real-time, Ludwig’s smile grew more distinct.

The top student position changed hands a total of three times per semester.
During the entrance exam. The midterms. And the finals.

Up until now, no student had ever claimed the top spot in both the entrance exam and the midterms.
Not once in hundreds of years of history.

That was how different the requirements were for the entrance exam and the midterms.

For a commoner who had just gotten lucky with a good mentality to score a perfect on the special exam, what were the chances of him ranking 1st in the midterms as well…?

Zero. Not even approaching zero – just zero.

‘He probably doesn’t want to be expelled.’

Schlus remained silent for a while, seeming deep in thought.

Graduating alone would guarantee a path to success unimaginable for a commoner, so he was unlikely to choose the path of foolishly getting expelled.

Schlus would end up shivering on the rainy streets at night, clutching his hungry belly and begging for a place to sleep.
If he froze to death, it couldn’t get any worse.

Some might call it a pathetic act, but at least Ludwig couldn’t be held accountable for it.
He had only followed the rules. Or rather, he had even shown kindness, regardless of the condition attached.

“I accept.”

“Good. As I thought, you would say that… Wait, what did you just say?”

“Your proposal. I accept it. Please show me to the dormitory. And provide this month’s maintenance stipend right away.”

“……”

Suddenly, Schlus was standing upright right in front of Ludwig’s desk, looking down at him.

At a loss for words, Ludwig tensed up and swallowed, forgetting for a moment that the other was just a commoner.

His expectations had been wrong.
This wasn’t someone who had lost his fear.
He was just insane.

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