011 The Right Protagonist
I realized that the world I was born into was the world of the RPG game, “Frontier Academia,” when I became aware of my surroundings.
The outer walls surrounding the city, the existence of monsters said to be outside, the adventurers who protect humanity’s living space and challenge the outside world for the sake of development, and a world view like a modern society where magic has developed instead of science. It was fortunate that I was able to realize it early on because it was the game I had been playing right before I lost my previous life’s memories.
“Frontier Academia” was an ambitious work sold in two forms: a console version and a newly developed VR version. It was a popular title because, even though the story depicted was the same, the gameplay changed depending on the difference in perspective, and the impression received from the characters differed. The story was not exactly innovative, and for many people seeking novelty, it was at best a good work. However, the orthodox story that did not miss the key points was enjoyable without having to think too deeply about it. In addition, the VR version demonstrated the potential to be the predecessor of the VRMMORPGs that would be developed in the future, and it was highly regarded for its technical aspects.
In this world, I, Sakurai Tooru, was reborn as the protagonist, a boy named Amanai Hayato. Thinking about the future, I decided to level up early before entering the academy. If things proceed as in the original story, an encounter with a demon is scheduled to occur one month after entering the academy. In the game, it would be the first boss, but in this real world, if you die, you can’t expect to retry.
I leveled up as much as possible before entering the academy, and I successfully made a head start, starting at Level 18 when the entrance period, which would normally start at Level 1, began. The appropriate level for the first boss in the original story is around 10. If I challenge it with my companions at nearly twice that level, I should be able to secure victory safely.
“I’ve also obtained the Mole Gauntlets, and I think I’m focusing a bit too much on defense, but it’s better to have a safety margin,” I muttered.
“Huh? Hayato, did you say something?”
“Ah, no. I was just a little let down that the first floor of the dungeon was easier than I expected, so I thought I should tighten up a bit.”
“Hayato, you’re as serious and cautious as ever.”
On the way to the academy, the one who spoke to me from next to me was my childhood friend, Akane Reika, one of the heroines from the original story. Her red hair was styled in twin tails. Her facial features were well-balanced and refined. The expressions that surfaced gave a competitive impression, but she possessed a vitality that exuded a strong charm. She seemed more mature than me mentally and was good at socializing. She wasn’t the center of the class, but she was a girl who gained a secret popularity.
“It’s a matter of life and death, so of course, right? I hate making stupid mistakes and getting hurt.”
“That’s true, but there’s no point in being too nervous. Let’s take it easy. They say it’s good to make mistakes while you’re a student, right?”
If we fail, the walls might be destroyed, and the country might be ruined… I couldn’t say such things, and I couldn’t help but let out a gloomy sigh. Seeing that, Reika smiled and patted my back, saying, “You’re not spirited enough!” This was our usual interaction.
“(I’m the physical attacker. Reika is the main magic user and sub-healer. I was able to form a party without any problems with Ethel-san, who can handle healing and buffs. To conserve combat resources, I’d like to add another physical attacker… preferably one with elemental attacks.)”
Although she wasn’t here right now, one of my companions was a female student named Ethel Tyner. She was also one of the heroines from the original story, and her holy magic would be a great asset in the upcoming battles against the demons. Especially when facing demons that are suited to the undead, the difficulty would change greatly depending on whether she was present or not.
“(The best candidate would be Higaki Ao-senpai. Her firepower is more appealing as the battle progresses. The problem is that her joining time is late, but she should have been active solo without belonging to a specific party at the start of the original story. If I deepen my relationship with her, she might join earlier… at least if I could learn the Sword Saint’s footwork skills…)”
As I was thinking about such things, I arrived at the classroom and noticed that the surroundings were noisy. Reika must have noticed the strange atmosphere as well, as she took the initiative to talk to a nearby female student and gather information.
“Good morning, Yashiro-san. Hey, it’s kind of noisy. What happened?”
“Ah, good morning, Akane-chan. Do you know the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Higaki-san?”
“You mean that person who was holding a weapon during the club fair?”
“Yes, that’s her. Apparently, she fought someone and is now in critical condition.”
“Huh!? Tell me more about that!”
“Whoa!? Hayato, what’s wrong?”
Higaki Ao is in critical condition!? I’ve never heard of such an event!
“Well, even if you ask for details, I only know rumors. Apparently, she had a dispute with some male student, had a duel on the riverbank, and as a result, suffered a major injury and is now bedridden in the hospital.”
“Seriously… what’s going on…”
“Hayato, are you acquainted with the Disciplinary Committee Chairman?”
“Huh? Ah, no. I heard she was a disciple of the Sword Saint at the guild before. It’s surprising that someone so strong is in critical condition, right?”
“Hmm? That doesn’t sound like her… If you’re worried, why don’t we go visit her sometime?”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t know her, so I’d probably be turned away.”
“I see. But the Disciplinary Committee must have it tough, I don’t think the academy is that bad.”
“It’s strange that we don’t know anything about the male student she fought.”
Reika continued chatting with Yashiro-san, and after thanking them, I left and sat at my seat. While looking at the sky from the window, I was inwardly restless. It wasn’t just because an event I didn’t know about had occurred, but also because there was a possibility that there was someone who was disrupting the flow of the original story in a place I didn’t know about. If a fatal event were to happen to an important character, it could lead directly to a game over. If that were to happen in a place where I couldn’t get involved, I would have to avoid it at all costs in order to overcome this story (battle).
“(I should hold off on leveling up for a bit and prioritize communication with the original characters. At the very least, I should make connections with them…)”
I recalled the characters I could currently contact and their episodes, and I could only pray that Higaki Ao would safely return to the academy.