As expected, the new professor's wallet was pitiful. In game terms, this would be the starting funds, but to think half of it was blown at the hospital (seems like they call it a treatment center here) right from the start.
Is this right? In an era where some people possess daughters of wealthy families and splurge money, is this really right?
'The only thing I gained is the knowledge that this world's currency unit is Gold (G).'
I lamented as I walked.
'Still, if it takes half a day to get to the Academy, I have more time than I thought.'
Thinking I should slowly learn about the surrounding situation or 'Chris Dorton' while moving, I adjusted my grip on the worn leather bag.
Even my only piece of luggage is incredibly light.
'Is she a frugal person?'
Maybe there are hints given by the system. You know, like a simple character description.
I slightly covered my mouth and muttered, 'Status Window.'
Honestly, up until this point, even though it was chaotic, I was slightly excited feeling like I had become the protagonist of a possession novel.
However.
[Chris Dorton Reputation: 0 / Corner-Room Recluse Wizard Mana: S / Human Mana Stone Strength: F / Not even muscle to lose Agility: F / Snail's friend Defense: F / Wet A4 paper]
With stats at the academic probation level of three Fs—and—
[Skill: Illegal players cannot use skills.]
Upon seeing the 'Skill Unavailable' message, any excitement vanished like melting snow, and I felt my blood run cold.
...Didn't they say she was a professor? Is she strictly a theory expert? Even so, does her body have to be this trash?
Okay, let's concede a hundred times on the stats. She does have an S rank, after all.
But no matter how overflowing her mana is, if she can't use skills, meaning magic, what use is she?
Besides, illegal? Me, who only ever bought genuine products my entire life, an illegal?! Did that gentleman called God sell me a pirated version?
I wanted to grab anyone by the collar and shake them while demanding answers. This was a much bigger problem than I thought.
Because in the world of
Magic in this place was a gift from God given to all humans. Even someone with the faintest mana could cast a cute fireball.
But I, who have to pretend to be a professor at Bedalua Academy where only the continent's top talents gather, can't use magic?
It won't end with just being kicked out.
In this damn world, there are plenty of monsters that mimic human forms. I'll definitely be treated like a 'monster that crawled in targeting the budding talents!' and hunted down!
'I can't use magic, but I'm absolutely not a monster!' would be my dying will.
Should I just run away like this? If I hole up in the countryside, I might be able to live without getting caught.
[Time Remaining: 23 Hours 52 Minutes 48 Seconds]
I get it, f*ck....
Oh protagonist, still a chick, congratulations on escaping last place. Now the weakest in this area is me, haha.
"No! I have to snap out of it."
Slap! I slapped my cheeks with both hands and muttered.
It's a situation where biting my tongue and dying would be most comfortable, but even rolling in a field of dog poop, this life is better. I can't easily give up on this second life I barely obtained.
The fortunate thing is that judging by the 'Corner-Room Recluse Wizard' reputation, not many people seem to know the real Chris.
Even if there are, there's hope that I can justify a slight 'personality change' due to memory loss using the train accident as an excuse.
And I possess a history of being a roleplay enthusiast, to the point where I was reported in a certain game in the past because 'the roleplay is too annoying.'
"I just need to adopt a concept where I don't have to demonstrate my magic skills."
Since it's come to this, this is the only way.
Too vague? I don't have time to think more anyway! The countdown is ticking even now.
'I will survive by strictly adhering to this concept roleplay for 3 years.'
To do that, there is something I must do first.
Chris's face I saw in the mirror earlier. She definitely had black hair and red eyes.
This intense color combination will become my first justification.
The gatekeeper guarding Bedalua Academy, the Gargoyle Statue.
He was spending a boring day.
Since the entrance ceremony for the freshman brats ended a week ago, there were practically zero visitors during the day now.
So when a pitch-black something walking from afar caught his eye, the Gargoyle had no choice but to flash his red eyes and be on guard.
Moreover, just by looking, it was a strong individual with terrifyingly blue mana undulating around them.
Who is it?
'Ah... come to think of it, did they say one more new professor was coming?'
He remembered belatedly. Indeed, wizards possessing that level of mana weren't common.
The faculty of Bedalua Academy are experts whose levels are so high they could easily control a small country.
In other words, if that person is the new professor, that abnormal strength is only natural.
Of course, the Gargoyle, who faces veteran professors every day, had absolutely no need to be scared.
'I got tense for nothing.'
However, upon seeing the face of the slowly approaching figure, he felt his body stiffen again.
...Is that really a rookie professor who came up from the provinces, enough to need a train?
'That is.'
Fluttering worn clothes, shaggy black hair resembling a beast's mane, darkly shadowed under-eyes, and even pale skin.
If it were an ordinary person, he would have just thought it was a shabby traveler and moved on, but the Gargoyle, who had guarded this spot since the Academy was built, could tell.
'It is death.'
Death with two feet was walking towards him.
He could tell just by looking at the eyes. The dark red light gazing at him. They had clearly witnessed countless ends.
Dulled by seeing too many deaths.
An emptiness that looked rather close to ennui.
He was feeling an aura he had only read about during times when wars were rampant in the past.
'What on earth did she go through in this peaceful era to be broken to this extent?'
But he couldn't bring himself to ask. Because daring to dig into a person's wounds was not his job.
'More than that-'
Such a being is going to teach children?
'...Impossible.'
The Gargoyle was born from the hands of Principal Bedalua and had never doubted her judgment until now, but this time, he was curious about her intent.
With what thought did she order such a person to nurture future talents?
"Setting up a mere rock like this and calling it a gatekeeper...."
At that moment, a low, metallic rasp flowed from the woman's dry lips.
"You should call it a restaurant, not a school. Since fresh new students must have just entered, it's perfect for a monster to jump in and feast."
It was clearly mockery directed at the Academy's security.
However, for some reason, the Gargoyle couldn't get angry. He was just busy scrambling to regain his senses and fulfill his duty.
"State your identity and purpose of visit."
"Chris Dorton."
"...Are you the new professor, Chris Dorton?"
"Who knows."
Chris Dorton twisted up the corner of her mouth.
"If there is trash that even a guy like me can teach."
Only then could the Gargoyle see the red blood flowing from her head.
He heard she was in a train accident. Is she saying she doesn't even care about a wound of that magnitude?
"Open the door. Don't be annoying."
The sentence was followed by an unspoken 'Before I smash it.'
Formal procedures like demanding ID seemed meaningless now. Besides, it was impossible for him to stop a strong individual like that anyway.
'Damn it, at this rate, I really feel like I've become a restaurant doorman.'
Even so, the Gargoyle felt like he wanted to say something more.
So as he opened the main gate, he tried adding one word-
"...The infirmary is on the 1st floor of Bedalua Hall."
There was no answer from Chris. Only the sound of staggering steps plodding on the ground followed.
Like a person who has never looked back once in her life, she drifted away just like that.
Whew, I thought I was gonna die!
Fortunately, I arrived in time and saved my life. Thank goodness there was a makeup supply store nearby.
Thanks to that, my first impromptu roleplay was quite successful for something cobbled together.
Although the Gargoyle is a certified pushover character in
I checked that no one was around and raised my hand to wipe the cold sweat.
'Huh?'
But this is red.
Don't tell me what's been flowing since earlier wasn't sweat but blood...?
It seemed the wound from the train accident had opened up.
What do I do. Am I going to collapse from anemia? Suddenly my vision is spinning and I think I'm in pain?
It was at that moment.
[Quest Complete! You received 'Bedalua Academy Map (1/4)' as a reward.]
No, is this teasing me! Give me a healing item, not a map! The concept I chose doesn't allow me to run to the infirmary right now!
Sob sob, Dad.... I miss you. Save me.
Just as I was struggling to hold back tears.
"...E-Excuse me, are you okay?"
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