"Jeron Airgia."
A voice called out in my half-asleep haze.
"Cadet Jeron Airgia, respond."
A voice that felt familiar yet unfamiliar.
I tried to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt like they weighed a ton.
I was insanely sleepy.
Had sleep ever tasted this sweet? I felt like drifting off into eternal slumber right then and there.
"Tch. A cadet dozing off in the first class. Impressive in more ways than one."
A hint of irritation mixed into the voice.
"You there, the cadet next to him. Wake Jeron up."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
An innocent young girl's voice came from right beside me. This one was far more familiar.
Hm…? Where have I heard this voice before…?
"Cadet Jeron! Cadet Jeron! Wake up—they're calling roll! Geez, I've been trying to wake you since earlier…!"
Soft hands gently shook my shoulder.
That touch slowly lifted my heavy mind, and my reason gradually returned.
And then I realized the identity of the voice waking me.
'…Yuria?'
Yuria Isolde.
A 1st Year at Stella Academy, Magic Department, specializing in spirit arts.
A character so pretty and kind-hearted that [Stella Academia] players shamelessly nicknamed her "Mama."
'But Yuria's an NPC, right?'
Yeah, a game character.
One who couldn't talk to me or touch me—nothing more than data fragments beyond the monitor.
That realization sent chills racing up my spine.
I had no choice but to snap my eyes open. Reflexively, I lifted my head.
"C-Cadet Jeron…?"
An unbelievable sight unfolded before me.
Yuria was looking at me with worried eyes.
The academy uniform, petite build, brown bobbed hair, and red-tinged eyes. Even the face that still held a childish innocence…
Everything matched the in-game illustration perfectly.
'W-What in the world… is this…?'
With a bewildered mind, I slowly looked around.
A space that was so familiar yet utterly alien entered my view.
Stella Academy classroom.
I was seated in the back corner, and every student in the room was staring at me.
"Heh, check out his face."
"He's completely frozen."
"Name's… Jeron, right? Last in the entrance exam?"
"Tsk, so lazy on the first day. He's done for."
Most faces were unfamiliar, but a few familiar ones were mixed in.
Artel gazing indifferently at me.
Kaiser clicking his tongue in pity.
Luna propping her chin with an intrigued expression, and so on…
They were supporting NPC characters with some screen time, if not as much as Yuria.
And then.
"Cadet. You look quite shocked. Having a nightmare?"
The stern-faced female Magic Department professor standing at the lectern—Professor Kate.
That meant.
All the circumstances pointed to one conclusion.
"...?"
I had entered the game world.
The world of [Stella Academia], the game I'd played to death.
"...???!!!"
***
Stella Academy, 1st Year boys' bathroom.
I managed to slip out using a stomachache as an excuse.
The bathroom's location was exactly as in the game, so I found it easily.
Panting heavily, I washed my face with trembling hands.
The cold water splashing on my face finally brought a bit of clarity.
"Whew…."
Game possession.
Something I'd only seen in webnovels had happened to me. My heart pounded wildly in this unbelievable situation.
After splashing water on my face repeatedly, I looked into the mirror.
Unkempt silver hair sticking out wildly, mysterious light purple eyes, and skin so pale it was almost ghostly.
The face of a frail young noble.
"Jeron…"
Jeron Airgia.
I softly murmured the name of the character I'd possessed.
One of [Stella Academia]'s NPCs. Famous among players as the guy who always slept in the back row.
He didn't appear in the main story, had barely any lines, but his unique trait of constant sleeping and handsome face (which accounted for a huge share) earned him quite a few female fans.
He only showed up occasionally in fan creations—an extra you'd never bother with otherwise.
That was my impression of Jeron.
Yet when I opened my eyes, I had become him.
Why?
"Right. Yesterday for sure…"
I dredged up my memories.
Friday night.
I got home from work, reveling in the joy of the weekend, and immediately booted up my computer. Naturally, to play [Stella Academia].
An open-world RPG about enrolling in a fantasy academy.
It had gained massive popularity thanks to its stunning graphics, vast worldbuilding, and captivating story. It hit my tastes perfectly, so I'd been glued to it from launch day till now—a total veteran.
"Now, which unique trait to start with today?"
Unique traits.
One of [Stella Academia]'s core systems.
A single trait you chose at the start—literally unique to the player.
Your choice drastically altered playstyle, demanding careful selection.
Ranks went from Common-Rare-Heroic-Legendary, with Legendary traits being rare but boasting unique, powerful effects.
Most players built concept runs around high-rank traits.
But some masochists deliberately picked weak ones for self-imposed challenges.
Of course, a veteran like me had already tried everything.
"'Dragon's Bloodline'? Did that recently. 'Harem King'? 'Blind Sword Saint'? Hmm…"
I scrolled through the long list, deep in thought.
After a while, I reached the very bottom.
And there, something astonishing appeared.
[Myth Rank]
[Sin of Sloth]
(Unlock Condition: Possess all unique traits.)
「You are qualified.」
"Huh, what's this?"
A Myth Rank trait? Never heard of it.
If Myth was above Legendary, it must be a recent update addition. Never seen it on the forums, so maybe I was the first to find it?
Curious, I read the description.
[Sin of Sloth (Myth)]
-You can no longer gain experience points. Instead, you gain 'Sloth.'
-Lazing around increases your Sloth value and raises your level.
-Hard work decreases Sloth.
-Use Sloth to purchase skills, traits, items, etc.
"Ooh."
In short, the lazier you are, the stronger you get? A fresh concept. I'd never seen a mechanic like this.
"Gotta try it right now."
Excited, I selected 'Sin of Sloth' and started the game.
Then a crushing wave of fatigue hit me, and I passed out slumped over my desk in front of the monitor.
That was my last memory.
And when I woke up, this was the situation.
"…Haa."
One conclusion.
For some reason, I'd entered the [Stella Academia] game world—complete with the bizarre 'Sin of Sloth' trait.
First, check my status.
The method to view character info in-game was simple. Would it work here?
'Status window.'
Muttering the command in my mind summoned a translucent system window like a hologram before my eyes.
Name: Jeron Airgia
Level: 1
Title: Stella Academy 1st Year
[Stats]
Strength: F
Vitality: F
Agility: F
Intelligence: F
Mana: F
[Unique Trait]
[Sin of Sloth (Myth)]
[Skills]
None
[Sloth: 0]
Oh, it works. I was thrilled the game system applied here, but only for a moment.
"…Pathetic."
A hollow laugh escaped me. All stats at rock-bottom F rank. I'd get one-shot by a passing slime at this level.
Worse than the starter stats—this was true bottom-of-the-barrel. How did this guy even get into the academy?
But it wasn't all despair. I had my veteran knowledge and a Myth Rank trait, 'Sin of Sloth.'
Though I had no clue how to use it yet.
It said Sloth could buy skills, traits, items, etc. How?
That thought brought up another window.
"Oh…."
Like a shop, using points to buy necessities.
But the purchasable items were wildly unique—things unobtainable through normal means. The 'Myth Rank' name wasn't for show.
Anyway, situation grasped.
So what now? Bolt out of here and search for a way back to reality?
No.
I shook my head firmly.
'No way there's a logical fix for something this unreal.'
My family and friends from the old world flickered in my mind, but I had to face reality now.
I'd find a way back someday. Not today.
Right now, I could do only one thing.
'Survive first.'
In this world, as Jeron Airgia.
[Stella Academia]'s main story and interspersed events flashed through my mind.
And ways to tackle them as an extra, not the protagonist—Jeron.
'Not easy. But worth a shot.'
That was my judgment.
Worst case, I'd make it work somehow.
You can reload in a game, but death here is real. No save or load functions.
"By the way… I wonder if this world's original protagonist exists."
The thought crossed my mind.
Normally, players start as the protagonist, but I'm Jeron Airgia now.
If the protagonist character was here, tackling things would be easier.
I'd go look for them after class.
With those thoughts, I left the bathroom.
Fortunately, Professor Kate just glanced at me briefly before resuming the lesson. I snuck back to my seat as quietly as possible.
Yuria shot me a worried look.
"Cadet Jeron. Are you feeling unwell…?"
"I'm fine. It's nothing. Thanks for worrying."
Yuria really is kind.
I barely resisted the urge to pat her small head and started listening to the class.
"…Thus, the flow of mana forming the basis of ancient magic can be classified into seven attributes. These are the four major elements—fire, water, earth, wind—and…"
Professor Kate's stiff voice echoed through the classroom.
But I hit my first crisis immediately.
'What the hell is this?'
I couldn't follow the lesson at all.
I was a veteran player, but that was limited to combat, quests, and hidden elements. No way I'd know the nitty-gritty of academy classes.
In-game, it was just a few-second cutscene or a line like [Attended class. Intelligence slightly increased.]
My knowledge here was basically elementary school level.
But the academy was university-tier, and Stella was the continent's top school—like Seoul National University back home.
An elementary kid in a Seoul U lecture? No wonder I couldn't keep up.
'What to do.'
Everyone around was diligently taking notes. Should I at least pretend…?
I picked up the parchment and quill on my desk. I brought the quill tip to the paper to copy the content written on the blackboard at the lectern.
That instant.
[Warning! This is diligent behavior.]
[Sloth decreases.]
"…!"
[Insufficient Sloth value. Behavior restricted.]
Against my will, my hand froze like stone. No strength in my fingers gripping the quill—I couldn't write a thing.
'Damn.'
Note-taking counted as diligent. With zero Sloth, I literally couldn't do diligent actions.
Only one option left.
'…Time to laze around, then.'
I quietly set down the quill.
Then blankly stared into space, thinking nothing—pure zoning out.
Soon after.
[Lazing around.]
[Sloth +1]
'…Yes!'
A faint smile crept onto my face unbidden. It worked. But after what felt like 10 minutes, just 1 point? Way too inefficient. Needed something more reliable.
'Lazier…'
I crossed my arms and leaned back deeply into the chair. Then slowly, I let my head droop toward the desk. Pretending to nod off.
Some students shot me dirty looks.
Others let out disbelieving snickers.
Whatever, not my problem.
I ignored them and focused on dozing during class.
Sounds weird, but hey, I'm committed.
[Lazing around.]
[Sloth increases.]
[+1]
[+1]
…
'This is it?!'
Now stacking 1 point every 5 minutes or so. Miles better than zoning.
But what if I took it one step further?
All great discoveries start with that extra step.
I steeled my resolve.
Like Neil Armstrong stepping onto the moon for the first time.
Time for that great leap…!
"Yuria."
"…Yes?"
I whispered to Yuria, who'd been intently focused on the lesson beside me.
"Wake me when class ends."
"…Huh? Y-You mean… N-No way…! You're going to sleep again?!"
Yuria's shock.
But no choice.
Instead of answering, I slammed my head onto the desk.
Jeron Style Technique #1.
Face-plant nap…!
The system window exploded in response.
[Extremely lazy behavior!]
[+1]
[+1]
[+1]
…
Sloth piled up like crazy.
1 point per minute!!!
Insane efficiency.
"C-Cadet Jeron…!"
Poke, poke. Yuria prodded me lightly with her finger, whispering urgently, but it just felt like ASMR lulling me to sleep.
'Sorry… Yuria… I'm a hopeless cadet who can only get strong by lazing… forgive me…!'
I apologized in my heart, knowing it wouldn't reach her.
A twinge of guilt—can I really get strong like this?—but it faded fast.
With Sloth rising steadily, I slipped into blissful sweet sleep.
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