Reitte's goal for his first full day in the academy was simple:
Blend in.
Stay quiet.
Do NOT interact with important characters.
The universe, of course, heard this and said:
"Haha, no."
---
Classroom 1-A
Reitte stepped inside and instantly felt twenty pairs of noble eyes analyzing him like a new species of bug had wandered into their habitat.
Great. Fantastic. Apocalypse-level social anxiety incoming.
He slid into the nearest empty seat away from any named characters, main characters, or good-looking characters (dangerous).
Just a nice, safe corner—
"Attention, students."
The homeroom teacher entered, carrying a paper.
"I will now announce the assigned seating for this semester."
Reitte felt the world freeze.
"Nope," he whispered.
"Nope this isn't happening—"
[SYSTEM NOTICE: Seating Arrangement = Fixed Story Event]
[Escape: Impossible]
Reitte put his head in his hands.
---
The Horror Begins
Names were called one by one.
"Elias—front row."
"Lady Miriel—window seat."
"Seren—aisle spot."
Reitte zoned out, praying to every deity available in this fantasy world.
Then he heard it:
"Reitte."
His heart stopped.
"Your seat… is next to Reol Aveline."
Reitte's soul left his body.
Someone in the class whispered, "Who's Reitte?"
Another whispered, "Oh, that kid who followed a cat into a restricted wing?"
A third whispered, "He's dead."
Reitte tried to protest.
"Is—Is there another option? Maybe like… the hallway? The roof? Outside the kingdom?"
"Sit," the teacher said flatly.
---
Sitting Next to a Future Murderer
Reitte approached the desk like it was an electric chair.
Reol was already seated, quietly reading something.
He didn't look up.
Good. Ignoring Reitte was the best-case scenario.
Reitte lowered himself into the chair, moving as slowly as a scared raccoon approaching a trash can.
Then—because the universe enjoyed tormenting him—Reol spoke.
"You again."
Reitte nearly fell out of his seat.
"Haha! Crazy coincidence, right? Super random. Absolutely no reason behind it!"
Reol's eyes drifted to him, calm but sharp enough to slice bread.
"You're loud."
"Sorry. I'll be quiet. I'll be so quiet you'll think I'm dead—"
Reol turned back to his book.
Reitte exhaled.
Okay. He could survive this. As long as he didn't trigger any—
[WARNING: You are seated beside the Villain.]
[Chance of accidental death increases by 12%.]
Reitte slapped the invisible message away like it was a mosquito.
---
The Notebook Incident
Just when things seemed stable, the teacher said:
"Take out your notebooks. We'll begin with introductions."
Reitte reached into his bag…
And pulled out a crumpled packet of chips.
"Oh. Oh no. Wrong pocket."
The bag rustled loudly.
The whole class stared.
Reol stared.
Reitte wanted to evaporate.
To make matters worse, the chips were a flavor from his world—
which didn't exist here.
Reol's brows lowered.
"…What is that?"
"A normal snack! Very normal! Everyone eats this, probably!"
Reol leaned slightly closer, inspecting it like it was a bomb.
Reitte panicked and shoved the chips back in the bag so fast he nearly ripped it.
The teacher sighed.
"Reitte, I expect better focus."
Reol whispered under his breath,
"You're strange."
"Th-Thank you?" Reitte whispered back.
"That wasn't a compliment."
---
New System Message Appears
A glowing notification flashed across Reitte's vision:
[NEW SUBQUEST UNLOCKED]
Title: Survive Sitting Next to Reol Aveline
Difficulty: Unfair
Reward: Staying Alive
Reitte groaned into his desk.
This was going to be a long semester.