That night, I learned some interesting things that I'm sure would be helpful in the journey. I only slept for 2 hours after learning, because I spent the rest writing what I remember about the plot.
"Ozzie." I said as I go to the mirror to fix my tie.
Since I'm going to the end game with it, I have to familiarize myself with it. And the best way to start is by knowing each other's names. I've tried asking its names but due to its travel from one world to another, it has a bunch of names that are very hard for me to pronounce. So I gave him the name of my dead dog.
[Yes? How can I help you?] The system's boyish voice replied.
I know it said that we can communicate through my mind. But this is a single occupant dorm room and the walls are quite thick. Unless I yell, no one would be able to hear that I'm talking to myself. Of course, the slight problem comes when I'm outside. But that's the least of my worry.
"Tell me about Trading Points again."
[You can get Trading Points by completing missions, defeating monsters, levelling up, and helping people. You can earn 1 Trading Point by defeating a monster and 2 Trading Points by defeating a bad individual. Missions have their own points offered. You can check the amounts anytime as long as the mission is being progressed. You can earn 10 points by levelling up. Lastly, you can earn 10 Trading Points with each person you help and will be capped at 400 Trading Points per week.]
I pause. I just heard of that last one.
"So you mean, I can earn points by helping people?" I asked.
[Yes.]
"Huh." I resume tying my tie. "40 people every week, huh? Surely a lot of people. Can I help the same people twice?"
[The help you give to one person is the only one counted.]
"Hm. That's gonna change my plan a bit. Maybe a bit more." I finish my tie and fix the rest of my look before taking a breath. I look at myself in the mirror. "Alright, Terrence. If you're still in there, I assure you this one step. A long one, but after that, I'll leave and you'll have your body back. Your life will be turned upside down, but it's alright. I'll make sure it'll be a good turn around."
Ignoring the bags under my eyes, I blow a slip of air and nod. "Let's start the game."
I take my bag and leave the dorm. It's time for today's class.
"Hey Ozzie, why do you sound like a little boy?" I asked the system as I leave the dormitory.
[This is the voice of my previous host.]
"So you take the voices of your hosts?"
[No. The data of my hosts are saved inside me. I could imitate their voices up to 100%.]
" 'Saved.' Unique choice of word. That's neat. What else can you copy?" I ask as I turn left into the garden. At this time in the morning, there are already students roaming around. They are just hanging out and waiting for their classes to begin, kinda like college.
[I can copy their skills up to a degree.]
"Really? Can you use them, though?"
[No. But as my host, you can use them if they're compatible with you.]
"Really?! What are the skills I can use?!" I asked excitedly.
[This feature will be unlocked soon.]
My expression flattens. Then I shrug. 'That's fine, this is just the beginning of the game after all. There should be a condition that must be met to unlock that, and I can follow up on that later.'
I feel a stare behind me, so I look around. I catch some girls a few meters behind me giggle when I look at them. There's also a guy crouching not too far on my left, seemingly studying the bed of Catonecca flowers, but now he's looking at me like I'm weird.
It hurts to get that kind of look, I tell you, so I immediately walk away. I don't even give the guy a chance to speak. I know I'm not normal here, but still, that kind of sets me off.
That interaction just now reminds me of something. Pain was the first thing I felt because Terrence was hospitalized when I came here. Since then, nothing was eventful and I did not believe that I'm not in my own world until that fight with Khione yesterday. Freezing lady finally get me convinced.
I mean. 'IT'S FREAKING COLD IN THERE. I thought I was gonna turned into a popsicle!'
I don't know what happens if I die here, and I don't want to find out. Living is obviously WAY better, even if I'm not in my original world. At least, I will try my best, to the last drop of blood if I have to, that I will get to the end game and find a way back.
I pause in my step and take a look in front of me. Yards away, there's a huge building that's shaped like a conch shell. There are also several buildings around it, serving as the facilities of the academy which the students could use—including the dormitory I just came from.
It's kinda weird since Northuria has mountains, not beaches. But whoever the architect is, I will definitely take him to Earth if I can. Because this place looks SO cool and futuristic for a school that teaches magic.
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. I'm currently enrolled in Orion Terrace, a very famous academy in Denebola City which is situated in Northuria Kingdom. Many famous people are said to be the alumni this place. This is also where some main characters originated from, whom I will be meeting soon enough.
I finish admiring the magnificent infrastructures and continue my journey. My class is in that gigantic conch, which also served as the main building.
I enter the giant structure with a deep breath. You know that feeling when you enter a very big building and suddenly feel so small? That overwhelming feeling? Yeah. I'm feeling it right now. In fact, I feel that every day as I enter this place. But it's still so amazing. How I wish there's something like this on Earth. Maybe it won't be a boring place then.
I walk past several students and slip inside one of the elevators. I quickly press the number 3 to close the door, and luckily, the door closes with no one getting inside. I sigh as I breathe in the lonesome for just a few seconds.
The elevator door opens with a ding and I make my way to my class.
Class 3-A is just right ahead. The door is opened, so that means the teacher is not there yet.
I enter the classroom like usual. And like usual, I don't get a few stares. I don't know how Terrence's personality is before I came, but I think I've ruined his reputation a bit by being just a tad bit anti-social.
Hey, it's not my fault. I'm a 30-year-old man inside, but I have to bear studying with teenagers in a classroom. I have to adjust somehow with my own way. Sorry, Terrence.
Luckily, some of them brush it off and consider it a change in Terrence's personality after he was hospitalized, so I don't have that many attentions. Although, weirdly, I've attracted a certain person I didn't wish to attract.
As I sit back and prepare myself for class, a shadow loom over me. I look over to the side and the person I was referring to is standing beside me.
His flaming red hair is vibrant, his royal blue eyes are staring at me with slight interest, and his breath is calm. He is also good looking and his posture is very good. I guess those traits are a must-have for the main protagonists. We as the side characters can only wish.
Standing right beside me is the prime, main protagonist of the game, Rean Vermillion.
"Did you pass?" He asked. His voice is soothing and clear, like a calm storyteller.
"Yup." I answered shortly.
Rean nods and returns to his seat. He doesn't say anything after, but I swear I saw his lips tweak up a bit.
That's weird. As far as I can remember, the game cutscenes did not show him engaging in conversations with people like me at all. The game never shows anything about this Terrence, whose body I'm currently using. My best guess is that he is not an important side character which makes me also unimportant which makes me wonder why Rean's suddenly interested in me.
I hope he doesn't get too close, though. I'm just an extra and as soon as the game ends, I will leave. So there's no need to be emotional with any of these characters.
"Good morning, everyone." Our teacher greets in front of the class. "Congratulations for passing the first exam. I've seen the scores and I'm quite pleased. Especially with Rean, Rufus, and Terrence. The three of you got the highest scores! I've expected Rean and Rufus, but I certainly did not expect you, Terrence. Well done, boys!"
I feel stares coming at me. It isn't hard to ignore the others, but there's one I can't ignore. I glance back at Rufus, who is looking at me with his sharp grey eyes. I unconsciously hold my breath back. Right, I forgot he exists.
Rufus Bara… He's… I can't explain much. I'll just say he's not good.
"Don't get too happy now, the second part of the exam will not be as easy. Before that, you have to fill out the forms…"
Suddenly, I hear a ding and the system's screen pops up in my face.
***
New mission acquired! Finish the second part of STARs Exam with the highest score. Reward:
1. 2000 TP
2. Shop enabled
3. Custom Part SG Handle
***
I can't hold back my horrified face at the ridiculous mission and unconsciously respond. "What?!"
The teacher looks at me and smiles. "He erm… Seems like somebody forgot the terms~"
"Ah, uh, s-sorry." I reply as giggles echo faintly in the room.
The teacher brushes it aside and continues his explanation.
I don't listen to him at all because I'm a bit freaking out.
I swallow the knot in my throat and ask Ozzie. 'Hey Ozzie, what happens if I fail the mission?'
[You will receive punishment.]
'Exactly what kind of punishment?'
[I cannot say. It's a surprise.]
'What do you mean by 'surprise'?'
It doesn't answer.
Okay. Now I'm freaking out.