"Son of a mother flipping biscuit."
I fell.
Fell into the insanity that is transmigrating into a novel.
I used to enjoy this type of novel. Loved reading their unique spins on an idea that had been rehashed a thousand times.
But now I was that guy in a novel.
Whose novel? No idea.
But I was in it.
I sat in an auditorium, deafened by the roar of excited students. The students around me, eager to make new friends, turned away awkwardly when peering at my face.
Everyone wore what one could assume was typical for a fantasy novel world. Leather tunics, fancy garb for nobility, and hair colors that ranged from normal to exotic red, purple, and silver. Miniature summoned creatures hovered between students or flew high above everyone.
'I understand what this is... but why?!'
I was twenty-eight, having transitioned directly from the military to college. On my first night out after college, a lady took me by the hand to her place. Just when we were about to have our fun...
"Fuck."
Dazed, I blinked and I here I was. Sitting in an auditorium with no sexy lady. Only the roar of a filled auditorium as if I were back in college.
'Come on! I just escaped that nightmare!' I cried mentally, wanting to let out silent tears.
"My seventeenth birthday was last month!" a voice caught my attention. "I'm from a village in the east! We run a bakery and—"
"A peasant!"
Students snickered. Some glared at the ones laughing, while others smirked.
"Why are they allowing trash in off the street?"
'Seriously? A bit much...'
Slowly turning my gaze, I frowned when I saw a young man gritting his teeth and clenching his fists in frustration.
Students who caught my gaze flinched and slid back into their seats apprehensively.
'The fuck...?'
I looked down at myself. Normal clothes. White tunic under a black uniform and black dress pants. I looked more like a ruffian compared to the ironed, expensive fabrics and heavy perfumes surrounding me.
'Standard peasants meet nobility scenario, alright... How intimidating do I look if they aren't picking on me?'
Looking around, I noticed a cluster of students several rows ahead whose unique auras outshone everyone behind them.
'Perhaps it's a stereotype, but I feel like the main characters are going to be there.'
A typical setup. All of the most handsome men and beautiful ladies, the most powerful and prestigious, were separated from the rest. The ones who excel, like the protagonist.
'Whatever instinctual click made me realize this was a novel, I'm glad I had it. I should be freaking out,' I thought while eyeing a mini ghoul hopping up onto the top rail of a chair in front of me.
"He-llo," it waved with a friendly smile, rotting teeth on display.
"...Hello."
It quickly grew bored of me. As soon as I greeted it, it turned away and went to the next person, disturbing them instead. Then the next, and the next.
'Wait... We each have a summoned creature?!'
'Where'smine?!'
I began scanning my surroundings excitedly trying to spot it. Instead, I was met with strange gazes from other students and occasional flinches.
'Stop flinching at me! I can't be that scary!'
As if my thoughts carried to them, or maybe it showed on my face, a few girls squeaked fearfully when my gaze landed on them.
'What the hell?!'
Sighing with annoyance, I turned back around.
'They will be frightened if I am revealed.'
I stiffened as a foreign, dark voice slithered into my mind.
'Who are you?'
'Achlys.'
The voice slid like a serpent through my skull. Looking down, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
Beneath my white tunic, a black and green mist clung to my body. Inside it, a silhouette of a face grinning with fanged teeth.
I gulped. 'You hear my thoughts?'
'Not all. Only when you direct them at me. You should know this. Why the strange questions?'
I was terrified, and the creature clearly sensed it. Its slanted eyes narrowed and its smile closed.
'You're scared of me and your soul feels... different. You are not Mephitis.'
Mephitis? That's my name?
Cold sweat dripped down my forehead, shivering as the mist grinned sadistically. I felt it wrapping tighter around my body beneath the tunic, sharp needles poking into my skin in mockery.
'Well, well, well... who is this new soul bound to my prison?'
Meanwhile, a tall old man stepped onto the stage and walked slowly behind the podium. His robed tunic was golden, his silver hair gleamed, and his pearly white smile felt unnatural.
I kept my expression cold and emotionless as my sole defense despite the sweat dripping down my face and the terror coiling inside, even as mocking giggles echoed in my mind.
"Welcome to Aurielum Academy," the old man's booming voice silenced the rowdy students. "Sanctus Empire's most prestigious academy."
In that instant, I knew exactly what novel I had landed in. Not a recent one I'd read, but one I remembered vividly.
The protagonist who attended Aurielum Academy, survived multiple demonic attacks, went on to kill the demon king, and eventually returned to slay an Emperor intent on conquering the continent.
The Fallen Sun's Heroic Party.
'You've found answers.'
A sharp pinch at my ribs dragged my attention back down to the abomination's grin.
'Let's enjoy our time together.'
I grunted quietly, a shallow breath escaping me.
"Fuck."