Monday, September 26, 807
It's been five years.
I spent all this time in the orphanage, keeping myself informed about the world by reading newspapers the janitor bought.
There's also a large library with historical texts about past events. I didn't mind delving into this kind of reading, considering this world would be the new place I'd live in and needed to get to know.
That's why I receive strange looks from the orphanage staff. While other children play and have fun, I spend my time reading.
Today, I'll enter Fort's academy.
Fort is a huge city with millions of inhabitants. There are about ten academies on the continent, and the one I enrolled in is one of the best.
First-year cadets are 17 years old, so when I arrived at the orphanage five years ago, I claimed to be 12. Of course, they also asked for a name to fill out documents, and I went by Azka Ban. Explaining the meaning of my real name to everyone would have been quite stressful. At least now it will be as strange and senseless as the others.
Entering this year, I'll have the chance to attend classes alongside the protagonists.
I don't intend to make friends with them, not because I dislike them, but because I could alter the course of events. If I influence their decisions, it might change their future. Perhaps someone who didn't die in the original story will die now, or vice versa.
I'll just watch them from afar; after all, they're still my favorite characters.
I wonder what would happen if I tried to save someone from death. In the first narrative arc, many people will die, including Seyun, a fragile, shy, and awkward girl. Due to her personality, she's been isolated and bullied over time.
If I save her, would it change the future significantly? Considering all the problems caused by demons, people still can't get along. Thinking about it, a victory by the demons wouldn't be that bad.
Now, I'm heading to the entrance hall of the central palace.
The academy has various buildings. We'll attend classes in the central palace, while the cafeteria and gym will be in separate buildings.
At the entrance of the central palace, I stand in awe of its majesty. It's enormous, easily accommodating several thousand people.
Some people, presumably senior cadets, welcome us.
"Silence, quiet down!"
Everyone slowly stops making noise and focuses on the speaker.
"I am Marcus, third-year!"
Marcus? Well, not everyone has strange names then.
I look at my hands.
"God? What have I done?" I say aloud.
"Hey, stop talking to yourself!"
I look up and see Marcus facing my direction.
You can't understand, Marcus, you can't understand...
Seeing my pathetic face, he moves on and continues his speech.
"I've been tasked with guiding you to your classrooms. There are a lot of you, and you'll be divided into 10 classes!"
With the help of his colleagues, they assign us to classes.
I've been assigned to class B, the same as the protagonists. This is not a coincidence; in the past weeks, I spoke with a teacher who came to inspect the orphanage. I expressed my interest in joining this class without any specific reason, and he agreed. Generally, no one makes this kind of request because it's irrelevant.
After climbing the stairs, I reach the first floor, pass through several corridors, and finally, I'm in the classroom.
I had almost finished my studies; now I have to start over.
I sit in the back rows, on the top right. Each cadet has their study desk with an electronic device resembling a normal cellphone. These phones are crucial for life at the academy, as instructors can send reports, exam results, summonings, and more.
I watch as cadets are still arriving, and one by one, the protagonists enter. They all sit far away from me.
Fifteen minutes pass, and the classroom is finally full. I don't seem to remember those near me... so that's fine!
Ten minutes pass, and someone enters.
Immediately, everyone falls silent, sensing her authoritative aura.
She's a tall woman in a military uniform.
"Good morning, cadets. I am an instructor assigned to your class. My name is Maria Ross."
Hearing those words, I pound my fist on the desk, unintentionally making that noise heard throughout the classroom.
Why does she have a normal name?
There was never a mention of a Maria Ross in the story!
I look in her direction. Silvery hair tied in a ponytail, glasses, authoritative air...
Never seen her in my life.
And her name is Maria? Are they kidding me? In a world where everyone has strange names, she's named MARIA?
"You! Over there! Yes, you!"
I mentally curse as she looks at me.
"Tell me, Instructor Ross!"
She just looks at me with a strange gaze, as if scrutinizing my soul.
"Do you have any questions, cadet... mmm..."
She looks at the list she's holding, probably with a photo next to each of our names.
"...cadet Azka Ban."
I laugh at my adverse fate and stand up from the desk.
"I have nothing to say!"
I sit back down.
I notice everyone is looking at me, some even with smiles.
Even the instructor seems on the verge of laughing but manages to restrain herself with effort. She resumes her speech, quickly shifting the focus to her.
"Today, we'll only have a brief introduction. After class, we'll go to the armory, where you'll choose weapons suitable for you. First off, on each desk, you'll find a cellphone. This is strictly personal and designed using small pieces of a demon's flesh. When you touch them with bare hands, you'll be recognized as their owners. You'll have access to various information, including your rank."
She stops speaking and steps back a bit. Approaching a large whiteboard behind her, she turns on a projector.
"Who can tell me what these beings are?" She exclaims, looking at the cadets one by one.
She's showing images of demons, grotesque creatures embodying our deepest fears.
I see someone raise their hand.
The instructor spots her, looking at the list again.
"Cadet Yu Yumiko!"
Yumiko, she's one of the protagonists.
She's identical to the author's description. Bright red hair tied in a couple of braids, emphasizing her delicate face.
"Those beings are demons!" She declares confidently.
The instructor nods, continuing: "Do you know how they are born?" She asks with assurance. Many details about demons aren't disclosed to avoid causing panic, but everyone knows how they are born.
"Demons are born from people's fears. More precisely, the more people fear something, the higher the chance that thing can materialize, giving rise to a demon. They pose a threat to humanity, tending to attack anyone indiscriminately, displaying abilities and powers connected to their nature." She responds with equal confidence.
"Truly an excellent answer!" The instructor praises. While commending her, I see her glance in my direction, then return to explaining.
"Demons all have different forms; they can appear as bizarre and disgusting monsters or have well-defined features. There have been rumors of demons in human form, but this is mostly a rumor, and there haven't been any confirmed cases. The only way to eliminate them is by using special weapons designed with demon parts. Regular weapons only temporarily affect them, and within months or a few years, they'll reappear. These special weapons, however, can kill them permanently."
She changes the slide.
"These are the weapons you'll use once you graduate in five years!"
Swords, spears, whips, katanas, bows, daggers, and many other weapons appear.
The cadets look at them in astonishment.
"Now, I'll conclude the presentation. Now, let's head to the armory. Remember that the weapons you'll use during the academic period are training weapons."
Everyone starts to get up and follow her.
I also stand up, yawning and stretching a bit.
"I think I'll go for a sword."
I ignore the few derisive glances still directed at me and start to follow the crowd.
Within five minutes, we arrive at the armory, located on the first basement floor.
In front of me, I see numerous weapons. Despite already intending to take a sword, I take a general look. Meanwhile, the other cadets are making their choices; Seyun has chosen a bow, and Yumiko, a spear.
Many others have focused on swords, including the main protagonist, Seiji Koto. Right at this moment, I'm beside him.
He embodies every cliché a protagonist could have: orphaned, harbors resentment for demons, and wants to exterminate them. Tall, handsome, kind, caring. In short, he's the incarnation of a deity.
As for me? Do I want revenge?
"Pfft"
Just thinking about it makes me laugh.
All I want to do is survive in this world, and to do that, I have to become stronger. I'll leverage my knowledge, and when the time is right, I'll live the good life somewhere.
Everything can proceed as usual without my interference. Eliminate demons? Make the world a safe place? Let the protagonists handle it!
With these thoughts in mind, I reach for a short sword. At that moment, Koto takes a long sword.
After everyone has chosen their weapon, the cheerful Maria Ross bids us farewell, allowing us to go to our rooms.
In this academy, there is a dormitory. The peculiar thing is that it's on the fifth floor of the central building. In the West Wing, there's the boys' dorm, while in the East Wing, there's the girls' dorm.
My room? What number is it?
I turn on my phone. The initial screen displays some text:
- Cadet Azka Ban -
Rank: ???
Year of Enrollment: 807 (first year)
Class: B
Role: Swordsman
Room: W.W. 2694
This phone is truly impressive. It already registered me as a swordsman, even though I just picked up the sword.
"Rank ???"
Mmmmh...
The author never mentioned it before. From the beginning, ranks were assigned without explaining the reason, and frankly, I never wondered about it. As far as I remember, it serves as motivation for cadets to strive for more, improve, and aim for top positions in the ranking.
It's also true that, once graduated and become Heroes, those with a high rank would receive a high level of recognition. But for me, who just wants to live a quiet life, it doesn't matter much.
I find my room.
"2694, West Wing."
Boys' rooms all have even numbers, while girls' rooms have odd numbers.
I place the phone against the door, and it opens. If it weren't for my memories, I would have probably spent a whole day trying to figure out how to enter.
The interior is quite spacious. There are three rooms: the bedroom with a double bed and various furniture, a living room with a chair, a television, and a small kitchen section. There's also a window overlooking an academy-owned park.
I also notice a door near the window. Apparently, it's the bathroom. There's a large tub and a shower section.
After the sightseeing tour, I dive onto the bed. At that moment, my phone vibrates.
-Tomorrow morning at 9:00, all Class B cadets must gather in front of the Virtual Room on the fourth floor for a practical exercise.-
So, this is what they have in mind... We'll try out the mythical Virtual Room.
Using parts from the demon Technology, scientists created an extravagant room. Most likely, the exercise will take place there. By the way, our phones were also designed thanks to that demon.
I spend a couple of hours exploring all the phone's functions. In addition to the personal profile, it has a messaging section with contacts of all other activated cadets. Unlimited internet access almost brings tears to my eyes, considering I didn't have that opportunity in the orphanage.
You can also exchange things. This feature is fantastically convenient, allowing the sending of a physical object to another person. It has a scanner that detects the item, dematerializes it, and materializes it where the recipient is. This is one of the most useful functions ever.
Last but not least, there's a bonus section, allowing us to eat for free at the academy's cafeteria and travel on trains/buses without spending a penny.
...
Speaking of money...
I have no source of income...
I glance at the phone; it's 1:00 PM. My stomach tells me it's time to go to the refectory.
I leave the room. If I remember correctly, the cafeteria is in the building on the other side of the park.
It seems other cadets had the same idea; the more I go, the more people I see heading in my direction.
The park is quite large, with numerous benches, and in the center, a large fountain with a statue. If I'm not mistaken, it should represent the founder of the academy, but I'm not sure.
I cross the park and reach the cafeteria. The building has two floors and is very spacious. The ground floor is almost completely full, so I head straight to the second floor.
I grab some food placed by the waiters on the counters and sit at an empty table.
I guess this food is similar to what they gave me at the orphanage: tasteless and of questionable origin.
"I miss Italian food..." I exclaim, feeling disheartened.
I look at the plate in front of me and reflect on my existence. I wonder if I'll really be able to survive in this world...
The first arc begins in mid-November, so at least for now, I'm sure I'll survive.