Chapter 25 - You want power?

I have caught the "feeling good by helping people" syndrome from the incident with Ms. Moridori.

And I have made a decision.

There is something else that I should be doing.

Something that I completely overlooked.

"Help the protagonist from behind the scenes."

I've been thinking about it.

You know that voice that suddenly echoes in the protagonist's head during a certain event in a manga, "Do you want power?"

I should do that role.

Or rather, maybe only I can do it.

After all, I'm a former player, right?

I'll take care of the first-time-killing, unreasonable events, ferocious monsters, and sorcerers, or give hints in a subtle way.

If I prepare everything to some extent, the protagonist should be able to win for sure.

In the first place, if the protagonist Kazane dies in this real world, it would be a big problem.

The heroines and the people around them will be terribly sad.

In fact, if the person they love dies, it's a bad end.

On the other hand, there would be no problem even if I die.

Because I'm just a supporting character, a chew toy who has been laughed at.

I have no intention of dying, but even if I do, there will be no one to mourn for me. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone mourned my death in my past life either. After all, I was just a passerby A.

I think that the protagonist Sakurai Kazane is the strongest.

he is certainly strong in the game and in the scenario.

However, there are also bad ending scenarios where the protagonist dies in a branch.

he is the strongest because he is the protagonist.

he is the strongest, but not necessarily the best.

This is contradictory, but I think it's well said.

Stronger enemies than the protagonist Kazane appear in both the scenario and the game.

The protagonist can defeat them... in theory.

That's because Megashuva's ending is not a "game where the protagonist loses in the end".

But this world is not a game.

If you die, it's over.

You can't just continue after retraining, devising a strategy, and preparing thoroughly.

The protagonist must always be undefeated.

Of course, there are ways to revive, but... we shouldn't consider them.

"In this world, resurrection of the dead is not guaranteed. This world is not a game. It's real."

Believing that the dead can be revived is dangerous.

That's why I decided to become a mysterious figure supporting the protagonist from the shadows.

I will work as a phantom behind the scenes to help both the protagonist and the heroine.

In school, I will play the role of a minor character.

Isn't it a perfect plan?

The reason I came to think this way is because I had a strong suspicion that my actions could greatly disturb the story of Megashuva that I know.

"The ending where all heroines become happy does not exist even in the knowledge of past lives"

In the first place, Megashuva's scenario does not have a happy ending for all heroines.

However, it is my dream to have this dream ending.

Then, with minimal interference and without disturbing the story's axis, we just need to significantly modify the final outcome.

Above all, to not disturb the axis of the story, we must give Kazane, the protagonist, a flower.

After all, I am not the protagonist.

As Amachi, there is a possibility that I will cause more harm than good by interfering.

There is even a possibility of entering an unknown route.

Worst case scenario, there may even be an ending where all heroines have a bad end that I don't know about.

That is the scariest part.

Kazane, the protagonist who is expected to play an active role in this world.

And then there's me, the supporting role who acts on their own accord.

We are fundamentally on different paths.

I could secretly advise the protagonist or become a phantom ghost fighting in the shadows.

I become something "other" that does not appear in Megashuva's scenario.

Isn't that my true nature?

It suits the foolish dead person who died in their past life.

Even so!

If, no matter how many times I help the protagonist and heroines, they cannot overcome the difficult wall standing before them...

"I have to consider the possibility of appearing on the stage... It's a dangerous bet."

A faraway stage beyond the unpredictable "story."

Can I do it?

No, it's not a matter of whether I can or cannot.

I'll do it.

It's okay.

I can do it.

·

·

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And this is my first step.

I looked up at the gate of Mahoro Academy that I had seen thousands of times on the screen.

I believe it's currently spring break.

I pass through the gate and walk across the vast campus.

I see a few student-like figures here and there, but not many people.

Most students are either spending their free time or training in the dungeon, while lab members are focused on research.

There are also many who have returned to their home country for household chores or other reasons.

I was soon walking along the long cherry blossom avenue of the school that would bloom in the coming spring.

Since it's an aerial city, sunlight should pour down from above, but the cherry blossoms haven't bloomed yet.

Is it because of atmospheric pressure?

"By the way, it's really spacious here."

In the game, I didn't realize it because I could warp with just a touch of my finger, but I've been walking for at least 10 minutes and still haven't reached my destination.

"Hey, you're not a student here, are you, big bro?"

Someone sleeping on a bench with a book covering their face called out to me.

Here we go. A strong character from Kansai.

Oh, interesting. I didn't expect to run into someone here.

This is also a story I don't know.

"I'm not a student here...yet."

After a short pause, the person continued,

"Oh, really? What brings you here today?"

"I'm...taking an experimental exam, I guess. Well, I'm in a hurry, so see you later."

Without looking back, I waved my hand and didn't stop walking.

"Oh, well. Don't overdo it. You should be fine. See you later."

Just as I thought the first wind of spring had blown,

The trees rustled and cherry blossom petals fluttered around me.

When I turned around, there was no one there.

The presence behind me had disappeared.

"Hmm. Did I set up a backstory where I know that guy?"

As I walked, I rubbed my chin and traced my memories, but I couldn't figure it out.

I want to add that guy to my team.

There's a strong character rule for cross-eyed characters.

Well, whatever.

I wanted to stop by here before the transfer exam.

"I can finally enter the academy."

Looking up at the huge school building that could be mistaken for a medieval castle.

The school building was made entirely of brick-like tiles.

There were no luxurious designs on the exterior, giving a simple impression.

However, the towering and imposing school building exuded a sense of history and grandeur.

"I'm here. Finally. Just wait... you damn miso soup."

I declared to myself as I headed towards the school building.

I'm about to take this transfer exam.

This is an event that I know nothing about.

Now, what will happen?

I've already done some cheating.

My fast thinking and parallel thinking skills, as well as the "automatic calculation" skill I obtained after leveling up, are nothing short of godlike.

They exceed the performance of my brain.

It's like my brain is connected to a computer.

Text and images that I see can be downloaded and organized into folders as I please, and complex equations and magic circles are automatically calculated, with answers coming to me intuitively.

No matter what comes up, it's not a problem.

I've installed an insane amount of data into my brain from bookstores and libraries.

My brain is like a database.

Now it's time for the practical exam.

In other words, a test that combines practical skills.

I should be fine just juggling some magic with about three attributes or so.

It's a foregone conclusion that I'll pass.

"Well then, let's go. This is the prelude to the start of the main event before the start of the race."

I pumped myself up just a little bit.