Avalon, Branch Philippine
"Swordsman Department, Rank 1 in the Test, Steven Salvador!" The announcement echoed through the halls, bringing back vivid memories of my novel, including the entrance exam.
As Steven was called forward, I, just on the sidelines, was drinking apple juice.
"I just saw him!" remarked a girl nearby.
"He's even more handsome in person."
"Kyahhh! He's so handsome!"
"He's the top scorer in the test," someone commented amid the buzzing conversations that surrounded us.
Amongst the chatter, a male voice pushed through the crowd, a passionate fan of Steve. "I love you, Steve! Let's have a baby!"
My confusion mirrored that of the surrounding crowd. I hadn't written anything like that in the story.
"What the hell?" "Was that for real?" Laughter erupted, a mix of shock and disbelief at the unexpected declaration from the male fan.
Initially, I tried to resist laughing along, but I couldn't help but join in eventually.
Steve, meanwhile, moved through the aisles toward the stage. His mere presence charmed many girls, and I couldn't deny it—as an author, I recreate my own image in him.
"Lucky guy!"
"He's got serious strength!"
"I watched the test. He's on a different level than us!"
Impressions varied among the crowd. Some were deeply impressed, while others remained indifferent.
"Look at him. Besides his looks, he also has a powerful ability!"
"Hahaha, that's right! Skill means nothing without power. Even luck and wealth are forms of power!"
Several governments were eyeing students from Avalon, especially the top five from each branch. They were automatically invited for recruitment.
"Don't even think about it! That kid is mine! He's crucial for the Exploration Department!" asserted a fat man, swirling wine in his glass.
"Nonsense! He belongs to the Defense Department!" retorted a slender man.
You could see the excitement on the faces of government officials, especially those from the defence and exploration sectors. Their excitement grows as they realize that students in this branch could become the strongest in the world in the future.
Interestingly, even female government officials were counted among Steve's admirers.
Observing him surrounded by his fans, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. In the story, his name should've been "stud!" It was my oversight not to include that detail. It's strange—I'm envious, yet at the same time happy to see the character I created gaining such attention.
"I may have been surpassed, but I can beat him!" declared a girl with a mole on her face, Sonia Liona. She was also in the main party that will end this novel.
Sonia, meaning wisdom, She was a heroine in Steve's story. She was the main reason why Steve had no problems dealing with the governments, businesses, and finances.
I attempted to pair them up in the story. But I never finished writing the ending, although I wrote that it's possible for them to be together.
"Rank 2 in the Test, Sonia Liona," announced the stage presenter.
Sonia wasn't your average woman, both mentally and physically. She may with her short hair, I've made her a really independent woman but wife material, and a mole on her cheek was her special feature.
She walked toward the stage with a mix of grace and irritation. In the future she will almost match with Steve's potential future popularity. However, unlike Steve, Sonia's fans harboured envy and other negative feelings. They are silent about this because they know who and what kind of person Sonia is.
Sonia is based on a woman-independent leader type from back when I was in elementary school. Intelligent and cheerful, she's the first person I thought of when thinking about the character Sonia.
The one Sonia was talking to earlier, who is very quiet on the left, is:
"Rank 3 in the Test, Elina de la Cruz."
Elina, called to the stage, is a perfect example of beauty. Her long hair, and jade skin reminiscent of Aphrodite, exuded a distinct charm. She was captivating—a vision of beauty akin to the Greek goddess Aphrodite herself.
She was the most important person to me in the novel, the character upon whom I based the story. Elina, the main heroine in the novel and maybe in reality, held my gaze as I stood in awe at her presence.
"I've already failed her, but even if she's just a character, maybe I can save her!" The words slipped from my lips.
Elina, she was my motivation and protection, my first friend, and the first character I ever wrote about. Her mannerisms, her ability to deceive with that poker-faced smile—but she was so damn cute, yet everything about her felt like a big lie that pained my chest.
"It's my fault."
Elina's story was filled with multiple deaths, and even if she survived one, another death awaited her. I'd created so many traps for her, but at the same time, it made Steve stronger with her.
I can see those three at the front of the stage. Sonia, who is looking at Steve and secretly showing her tongue and mockingly acting like a child. Steve, who is like a standing knight in the middle and the most handsome in Avalon. Lastly Elina, who doesn't care at all but is fiddling her thumbs in a mannerism I created when she got shy.
It was surreal to witness them in front of me like this. I'm glad I could see them.
Steve, my main character, Sonia, and Elina, the heroines of the story. then there was the fourth one, Mel Carmin. Who was at the end of the row on my right, I can see her even here.
Second only to Steve in combat, her short height, small boobs, sharp gaze and shoulder-length hair were her standout features.
Along with those two girls, Mel is the most loyal and most in love with Steve. Due to a plot, such as Steve saving her or something similar, Steve and Mel are in the same situation as Sonia. I simply made them a quartet, creating a Love Square.
At the same distance as Mel stood their rivals. Or, you could say, a friend-enemy of Steve.
The one who leads another opposing group, their leader, almost rivals the four main characters I created, he was looking at Steve as if he killed his parents, which was expected since he was a villain.
His name was Drake, I forget his surname though. But it was cool, I usually name villains with cool names.
Drake is a calculated mage villain. When he gets serious he could be very powerful. I created him to create fame for himself, which is the opposite of Steve.
As I look at Drake, well, what was his feature? I forgot, but his massive feature, I think, was hidden. It was his big wand; well, it was impossible to see it with so many people. I better ask him later.
Suddenly, two arms wrap around me. Two arms, left and right.
I can't breathe! I can't—