Protagonist (4)

As a player of many games, there's one thing that resonates with me.

The main character and the final boss are one and the same.

The final boss and the protagonist have a lot of overlap.

With the exception of absolute evil bosses, the protagonists and villains in most of the most popular games of recent years usually have an unfavorable past trauma.

However, the process of overcoming this trauma can cause the protagonist and villain to react differently.

For example,

The protagonist tries to overcome the difficulties, no matter how great they are.

However, the villain expresses it as anger toward society or the system.

Therefore, good and evil are bound to be sharply divided here.

In an unavoidable situation.

Will you uphold some kind of good, even if it's a sham?

Or do you give up and express your anger at the rotten status quo?

This is what separates protagonists from villains.

I also used this to find a way around the worst of it a while back.

I would play both roles.

A protagonist and a villainous boss.

To be both.

If I can do that, this whole mess will be resolved.

The protagonist is a player named Yoo Chan.

The big bad goes by the shiny name of Nox von Reinhafer.

'I've already got the villain part down pat. All that's left is the hero. With what I know, I can do it. It's more dangerous to ask someone else to do it.'

When I was first possessed by the Inner Lunatic.

It's not that I didn't want to be the protagonist.

It's a situation that most people who are exposed to any medium would like to be in.

If you watch a romance drama, you want to be the hero or heroine. If you watch an action movie, you want to be the hero. That's human psychology, a primal desire.

But it's one thing to say it and another to do it.

That's why people draw their own lines.

I can go this far, but I can't go any further.

This is the limit of what I can do, this is the best I can do.

You say.

I used to do the same.

But it's different now.

It's not like I have many more options.

In a world where the main character is gone, and in a game with the worst difficulty ever, all I can do is replace him.

And while doing so, I'll have to play the role of the villain, Nox von Reinhafer.

It's not as easy as it sounds, but what can you do?

I don't have any other resources to take over the role.

The only thing I believe in is me.

'Besides.'

If a certain variable has occurred in the Inner Lunatic, there is only one variable that can fix it.

That variable is me.

That variable could be a man named Yoo Chan, possessesing Nox.

'However, in order for me to play both roles properly, I need to do a few things. The first is an artifact that will allow me to hide my identity. Next, two bodies that will not arouse suspicion.'

Originally, Nox didn't even make it to Eldain, being pushed aside by his twin brothers, the third and fourth.

Abandoned by his family, he wandered the wilderness alone until he joined the Lunatics and made a pact with the devil.

He becomes a pessimistic human being and makes his mark on the House and the world.

I have about two months to do so.

In the meantime, in order to play Nox as a proper villain, I must become more than a demon-possessed Nox.

To play a good villain, and to do so without hurting my units. To have two bodies and an artifact to mask my identity.

"It's a little early, but I have to go."

I finished my resolve.

What is the most important factor in becoming a villain?

It's being part of a group.

That's why I'm heading to the largest villainous group in the Inner Lunatic.

Even in later scenarios, such as black market terrorism or the murder of the Princess.... The head of the worst criminal organization at the center of all the trouble.

To meet with Luna, one of the Three Swordsmen.

Why?

Only one, of course.

To join the criminal organization Lunatic.

* * *

A secluded meeting room on the grounds of Eldain Academy.

The room, with its long rectangular wooden table, has an eerie air about it. The reason was simple.

The presence of the person sitting at the head table.

It was intimidating everyone else.

Noah von Trinity.

The instructors had gathered here at the urgent summons of the Four Sages.

If that wasn't worrisome enough, it was even stranger.

'This can't be dangerous, can it?

Vernon looked at Noah with that thought.

It wasn't often that even Noah stayed here, one of the Academy's main facilities.

She wasn't a fan of these heavy seats in the first place.

She doesn't like to be in charge of things like this, and aside from major events like exams, she doesn't pay much attention to it since she has the other instructors in charge of everything else.

The Empire has given her the title of Dean, but only for the sake of symbolism.

Noah, one of the Four Sages, sits here.

That alone gives the Eldain Academy an air of legitimacy that cannot be ignored.

The meetings here are usually rather mellow.

But not today.

Vernon felt a pounding in his head as he listened to the shouting.

-The Dean herself is calling us here… Is something going on?

-I thought so, too… Was there a cadet who didn't do well in the entrance exam?

-What if she suddenly decides she's done with the Dean's job? There's a new candy bar on the market. ....

-Well, I can't deny the possibility....

The looks on the instructors' faces were less than favorable.

Noah von Trinity is certainly a talented individual, but she's also a bit of an unstoppable force.

She's a walking time bomb when it comes to topics like this, and she has the power to do it.

They're not just scary, they're terrifying.

"The… Dean, what is your reason for calling us here…?"

Vernon plucks up the courage to ask over the commotion, but all he gets in return is Noah's innocent look as he misreads a lollipop.

A strangely angry face.

But no one could bring themselves to dwell on it.

Misread- misread-.

(odog)

The girl looked like a child. If it weren't for the Four Sages, Noah would have given anyone here a good punch in the face.

But alas, there were no humans here with the balls to do so.

It was a monster that could wipe out a city-state with ease. What good could come of messing with such a thing?

For now, I must endure.

"... Yum, yum, yum. Yum! What are you all doing here?"

"...?"

Noah's gruff tone startled the group.

Vernon quickly regained his composure.

"Isn't that why the Dean called us to the conference room ...."

"Oh, right! I completely forgot!"

It had already been two hours.

As if I didn't have enough on my plate, it's almost the start of a new semester....

'You must be Dean Noah….'

Vernon marveled. He cleared his throat and asked again.

"So. Why did you bring us all here?"

"Uh, nothing else, I just thought I'd let you know that there are a few people I think you might want to keep an eye on! Hehe."

With a natural, virtuous smile, she twirled her hair and looked around.

The owner of the purple hair was sitting next to Vernon.

Lars von Celestia, professor of [Imperial Basic Magic], asked.

"Do you have any cadets to watch?"

He was a handsome character with neatly slicked back hair and a rounded forehead.

It was a bonus that he didn't get along with Vernon.

"Four, yes! Quite a harvest this time!"

"...Hmm. You mean like Paracelsus the 'Ashen Eagle', the eastern swordsman, and the princesses Penelope, Echidna, Leone, and Talia? We've already gotten a handle on those."

"There was one more! Professor, A very unexpected cadet."

"What?"

Lars scratched his head.

He'd already gotten the hang of the cadets.

Each of the new recruits had shown great wit and skill, and Lars, being the meticulous man he was, had examined them all.

But if Noah is reacting like that, then there's a real surprise cadet. Who the hell could he be to have such a reaction….

"Oh. No way…?"

At that moment, Lars remembered an incident at the entrance exam that he hadn't participated in.

He could recall a story.

Apparently, a cadet had almost died, but there was one who had used his strength to save the day.

It saved the life of Eleanor, who was to become the owner of the massive estate.

"Yes, that's right, Professor, Nox von Reinhafer, he's the best talent I can think of in this class, maybe even the greatest wizard of all time, next to me!"

"The best… talent… and the greatest… ever?"

Lars looked at her in disbelief. Even if she was one of the Four Sages, it was hard to believe.

Eldain is the most prestigious academy in the world.

Then again, he's the best talent there....

This is a question that even you can't answer straight away.

Is it a problem that talent can be cut so easily?

And… Nox, who is rumored to be the scoundrel of House Reinhafer?

"You don't understand, this is nothing more than a fluke, he just happened to save student Eleanor."

"That's not true, Professor!"

"I don't take it lightly, even if you are the dean. If he's really that good, would you mind if I tried Nox out at the next orientation?"

The class Lars is taking is the required first-year course, Basic Imperial Magic. Everyone has to take it.

Nox will be taking it, too.

It's not fair, but what if I could test him here?

That way, if it turned out that Nox had been cheating at the time, Chairman Noah's words would be backed up.

"You mean you're going to intervene in the trial? That wouldn't be fair…!" {Vernon}

"You can."

"What?"

Vernon repeated, looking puzzled, and Noah smirked.

"You all already know that no matter what you do, it won't change the nature of the stone."

A mature voice suddenly sounded from Noah.

Goosebumps rose among the seated instructors.

Very occasionally. When she spoke, Noah's tone was reminiscent of her past, before she'd sealed the Demon, when she'd been known as the Frost Witch.

Such was the case now.

"…Very well, I will test Cadet Nox's talents in my own way, and I hope you won't be disappointed, Dean."

With that, Lars was gone.

Noah nonchalantly tore into the next bar. Then, after rattling off a list of those who might be of use, she rolled over and fell asleep.

In many ways, she was a selfish woman.

Vernon sighed as he scratched the back of his head.

'I felt it the first time I saw it… That white-haired guy is going to bring trouble to the school. Damn it's going to be a pain in the ass.'

Even as he thought that, Vernon couldn't get the image of Nox saving Eleanor's life earlier, slicing through a Night Walker in one swift motion, out of his mind.

A beautiful swing. But he was still only scratching the surface. How far could he go if he were taught proper swordsmanship?

Vernon was beginning to look forward to it.

The other instructors had the name Nox in their minds, too.

Thus.

From day one, Nox had made a mark on the dean and the faculty.

* * *

Late at night.

Inside the dormitory where Nox and Zitri are staying.

Zitri's determined voice emanates from within.

"No way. Going out in Eldain on our first day without a pass? It's too dangerous, even if you want to…!"

I listened without further comment.

As soon as Zitri heard my plan (or part of it), she conveyed her disapproval.

No wonder.

As a maid, my perception of the instructors would be unfavorable from the start. It's the last thing she wants.

But I had no choice, so I pushed.

"It's okay, I'm just going to step out for a second."

"No, you can't. And when you say 'just a minute'… it's not credible."

Jitri said, looking at me suspiciously. She had already noticed that I was the type to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

That's why sharp maids are called....

because of that.

The two of us are arguing in a dormitory reserved for high nobility, a dormitory that must have been worth billions.

{1 Bil Won ~ 775,000 USD (June 2023)}

Although, of course, the outcome was already decided.

"Jitri. Your opinion is not important."

"Even as a maid, I have a duty to protect my master…!"

"No, not that, for you will soon be asleep."

"...?"

At that moment, Zitri's body suddenly collapsed.

A dizzying sensation began to weigh down her entire body.

I gently picked her up and set her down on the bed.

I have a plan, just in case.

A sleeping herb from my previous trip to the Chasers. I'd had Elena concoct a sleeping potion using it and some advanced healing materials.

For just such a time as this!

I thought back to Zitri, who, earlier, had accepted my tea without question. Yes, it's from her master, how could she not?

I was so happy and touched that I may have even shed a few tears.

I feel a little sorry for her, but… I can't help it.

I have to live.

I nodded with an expression of regret.

"Then get some sleep. My advice is to be careful what you drink when someone tells you to drink it. No matter how close they are."

"... Young Master. You tampered with my tea...!"

Zitri gritted her teeth at the belated realization. But it was too late.

I gave her a reasonable explanation.

"You've been working too hard lately, and it's important to take a break."

It's true, Zitri has been working too hard for me lately.

On a day like today, she deserves a break.

Besides the cure. {1}

For a moment, I look triumphant, but then Zitri shakes her head in exasperation.

"There's no such thing as...."

Zzzz-.

(Kuul-)

That's it.

"Phew. Zitri's now asleep… now I just need to sneak out of the dorm and find the place."

I'll have to disguise myself first.

It's only a disguise, but it's better than nothing.

I slipped on the black, worn hoodie I'd snuck in.

It's not enchanted, so I run the risk of being spotted, but it's the best I can do for now.

Hiss.

(Kkiig)

Cautiously, I open the door and move as carefully as I can down the path that the warden hasn't traveled.

I've done this in the game, so I've memorized the paths they take. Of course, sneaking around doesn't seem to be in my nature.

After passing through the long corridor and exiting the dormitory where the nobles stay, I take another look at the view.

'[Sidious Hall]. I'll be spending a lot of time here from now on.'

I ponder for a moment, then turn away.

For now, the most important thing is to find a place I know.

The Goblin Tavern. The exact name of my destination was

'Let's Drink Up a Goblin's Crooked Nose'. {2}

I was headed to an illegal tavern.