Author's Privilege

"It was a wonderful fight. Don't you agree, sister?"

"That Elliot guy was just lucky. Both the environment and the matchup catered to his specialties. I'm surprised he didn't even win, hmph."

"Yes, but he was up against the top cadet from the first exam. Don't you think he put up a good fight?"

"Whatever. People like him will never get far in life. Relying on weapons and not yourself is a recipe for your demise."

"I, uh… okay. My battle will be up soon. Please cheer on me."

"Really? Who's your opponent?"

"A girl called Donna Arison. I was told by Mister Dignitas to be careful."

"That idiot… show him that you don't need his pity."

***

"Yo, save my seat. Gotta take a whiz real quick. Wanna come, Digni?"

The battle between John and Elliot had just finished, and the next one would be Percivale's debut as a star of Spatial Magic.

I couldn't afford to miss it just because I went to the bathroom. And plus, with Wang Jin there, the bathroom break will probably turn into a full tour of the Colosseum.

"No, I'm good. Come back quick, though."

I turned to Percivale, who was bidding a short goodbye to his sister. I called him over.

"Yes, Mister Dignitas?"

He seems to be much more comfortable with me now. During our stay at the hotel, our whole team had gotten closer to the point we could somewhat call each other friends.

Uhh, comrades, actually. I don't believe we're actually that close yet.

"Dignitas is fine. Anyway, good luck with your fight. Remember to remain cool-headed at all times. Your opponent is bound to be powerful."

How did I know Donna Arison, his opponent, was strong? It was simple. Because, unlike Wang Jin, she wasn't an unknown variable.

I had actually written a bit about her character in my novel.

To describe her in a few words, she was, "cold with a heart of gold." The type that can be stern and serious at times but also aloof and kin–

Shit, that sounds like the two other girls I've written about. Lorelai and Alter.

Sounds like I definitely have a type.

But anyway, other than that, she was also known for her signature "Chamber."

It was described by her opponents as being transported into another world, while still being in the same place.

What she was actually doing was creating a spherical barrier around her that gradually enlarged.

Anything inside said the barrier could be controlled by her telepathically. She could pull trees out from their roots and swing them around, break apart large boulders into sharp stones, and shoot them like bullets…

The idea was that anything inside her Room was basically under her control. This counted human bodies too.

So it was extremely vital for Percivale to be careful. He could use Spatial Magic to get away from her, but there's always the issue of Donna "quick-casting" her spell.

Well, let's see how it goes. Either way, Percivale's bound to be accepted. Spatial Magic is too great of a power to let go. The higher ups will see to it that he's recommended to the Council.

"I see. Thank you for your words, D-Dignitas."

"Yeah. On your way then." I sent Percivale off and prepared to watch the battle that would soon ensue.

***

Fuck, where is the bathroom again?

I never told anyone about this, but I was really bad with directions. To the point that I can't get to a place that's five minutes away by myself.

It's funny, isn't it? The great Wang Jin, bad with directions?

Heh, I'm pretty sure Digni has a funny weakness like mine as well. I'll just have to tease him back if he finds out about my inability to tell right from left.

It's been around five minutes already since I left the seats. Not expecting the bathroom to be so hard to find, I began walking faster.

"How the hell did I get here?"

I scratched my head, irritated. Somehow, I had made it to a waiting room designed for the cadets.

No one uses them. Most people just jump off their seats in the crowd. I'll admit, it's a pretty cool thing to do and I'd probably do the same.

"These things have bathrooms, right? I'll take my chances and just use the one here."

I pushed open the door. Empty, thank god.

"Gotta let it out, gotta let it out…"

After a short moment, I finished my business and was about to head back.

It was there that I stumbled upon the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

Her hair was short, bangs almost covering her eyes. Pupils, crimson-brown.

The girl's body perfectly shone thanks to the conservative-yet-stylish way she pulled off her black outfit. The color scheme reminded me of the type Assassins would use to mask their presence when entering a dark area.

With a stern gaze, the girl locked eyes with me. It was suffocating, and yet I felt complete just from being seen. It was as if God himself had paid attention to me and only me.

"Hey…"

"Who allowed an idiot to enter my room?"

An idiot? Did someone like me really look that stupid?

This must've been her waiting room. I probably entered when she was out.

"That's not what you say to someone who just went to take a short bathroom break, miss."

"And why, pray tell, did you decide to do your business here? There's a perfectly good MEN'S bathroom on the other side of the hall."

"...really?"

"Yes."

"I see. Well, I'm sorry. Pretty bad with directions."

"That's… okay. I'm sorry for calling you an idiot too."

I could've sworn there wasn't a bathroom on this floor, though. Am I really that blind?

"What's your name?"

"That's not something I just give to anyone. Besides, weren't you watching the Colosseum battles?"

Ah. She must be…

"Donna Arison?"

"That's right. Now get out of here before I mess you up."

Donna took out a sword from her side and pointed the sharp edge toward me. I could see my reflection on its polished surface.

"Oh please, do so."

"What?"

"What?"

Maybe I should control myself every once in a while, heh. Digni's always told me I run my mouth a lot.

"Nothing."

"...? Okay, get out."

"Before that." I raised my hand.

"What?"

"Could I get your number?"

"Absolutely not."

***

I stared at my status while waiting for the next match to start. It's been a while since my last review, so I wanted to see my improvement.

___

|Dignitas Qwerdan|

|19,M|

Rank: D

ATK: D DEF: C

AGI: C+ MANA: D

|Skills|

|Death's Vision| | E+ |

Will occasionally show the targeted opponent/s next move. The closer they are to death, the more likely their moves are to be true.

|Identity Warp| | C- |

Allows the user to modify some parts of their physical appearance. When used, the changes will apply permanently but can be removed whenever the user wishes to.

___

Alright. Looks like my strength's managed to grow from D- to D in just a week and a half. It was somewhat faster than the average, so I was happy.

This was also considering the fact that I wasn't taking any Status Enhancement pills or having any skills that increase my body's ability to strengthen itself.

Oh, Death's Vision went up a rank, too. I do feel like I'm learning more about its power, and the numerous times I've used it in battle seemed to have supplemented its growth.

I guess all that stuff I went through paid off for the most part.

Still no Author privileges, though. I've read some books about this exact situation like mine. An author falls into their written work and receives a power befitting of their status as the creator of that world.

So I was pretty sad that Dignitas Qwerdan wasn't recognized. I wish I had a book or something that has my notes or something jotted down.

My memory's not the best, so I can't help it if I forget a few key things. The main storyline was still crystal clear in my head, but some characters were beginning to fade away from my memory. Many being the sides.

"Leader? What's that book in your hand?"

"Hmm? What book?"

"The one that magically appeared in your hand. Was it a skill of yours, by chance?"

What book? I don't see any… whoa, that's a fucking book!

In my hand, a book the size of my face had somehow materialized. It was a hard cover, like the ones in libraries.

The front was blank, the same with the back. I opened the book and saw the pages were completely blank as well.

How the hell….

"THE NEXT BATTLE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO PROMISING CADETS WITH THE POWER TO MANIPULATE SPACE!"

No time to think about it now. The next battle between Percivale and Donna is starting soon.

I'll investigate the origins of this book as soon as I have time. For now, let's take it easy.