"Atlas, are you not even going to say anything? Your father asked you a question."

I looked up from my plate, and looked at the end of the table. There sat a stoic man, with slightly greying hair, and a grizzled beard. He had the aura of a military man, but more importantly I remembered his name.

Gerald Black. Patriarch of the famous Black family and one of the few sword masters on the continent.

'My father...'

I was Atlas Black. I have always been Atlas, but at the same time... I suddenly gained memories from a different life. One where I was familiar with the world I lived in now, as a video game.

So was I in a game, or was the game in that world just a peak into this world? I didn't know. 

However I had to give my father a response, otherwise he would definitely be mad, and punish me in some way. He always was hard on me, ever since I was a kid, but I had always reacted poorly to his punishments. I was... A troublemaker.

I threw fits, put others down for their status, and was known as a degenerative playboy. I inherited my mother's good looks, and I used them to my advantage often. I would skip my swordsmanship lessons to visit the bars, flirting with women instead of studying the family's sword style.

"Atlas."

This time it was my father who spoke. I looked him in the eyes again, and decided to answer.

"Yes, father. I have... Thought about what you said.. And you're right. It's time for me to stop playing around, and get a proper education. I will attend the Academy this year."

My mother showed a surprised look, but my father simply raised an eyebrow before nodding. He didn't ask for an explanation, he just wanted results. He was very much like this from my memories of the game.

After that my mother spoke animatedly, about everything I would need for the academy, and what I should expect.

I sat quietly during dinner, only occasionally easting since I was so distracted trying to organize my thoughts. After dinner I excused myself and went to my room.

...

"Atlas... He seemed... Different at dinner."

Alicia Black said to her husband, Gerald Black, as they laid in bed.

Gerald looked up from his papers. They were reports of the recent happenings in the country, from terrorist attacks to rebellions. 

"It was about time he grew up. All I need to know is that he will go to the academy. If he can just make it through four years at the school and graduate without problems... We won't have to worry about him anymore."

...

"But yes... He was different. We will see just how much he changed after he enters the academy."

****

I was laying in my bed, looking up at the ceiling with my finger extending, like I was touching something.

To others I might look like I had lost my mind, but that was because there was indeed something only I could see before me.

A system screen.

I had memories of the world I lived in, and when I tried calling out to the game system, it responded to my voice command.

I was looking at my character status, to see information normal people would not be able to see, but that was incredibly important from a gamer's perspective.

[Name: Atlas Black]

[Trait: ???]

[Notes: A scandalous philanderer, and a lust driven man. Absolute trash, stereotypical third rate villain.

P.S: Has an incredibly weak body.]

"Well.. Not much to go off of. All I remember about myself from the game is that I get into a fight with the hero on the first day of attending the Academy, and then I get expelled..."

I agreed with the system's description of me.

At least that it was how I USED to act. When I gained the memories from my past life, they merged with the ones I had from this life, and I changed greatly.

First, I was capable of self reflection. I knew that I had been a terrible person, and I acted out to get my father's attention. Now that I could look at things objectively, I was able to move on, and get past my daddy issues.

Second, a new sense of determination filled me. I wanted to get stronger. I was craving for a fight. Even now, I wanted to go out and find someone to fight, so I could experience the way this world felt with my body.

After I finished reading my pathetic status screen, I decided to try exercising, but I soon remembered another reason why I was an unmotivated pile of garbage.

"Haaahhhh... I can't... Even... Do.. Five push ups?!"

I was laying sprawled on the ground, struggling to breathe, and covered in sweat. Ever since I was young, I had a terrible constitution. 

Past what was normal for someone who was out of shape. It felt as though I couldn't get stronger, even if I tried, and I remembered that as a kid, I did try.

But after constant failure, I decided to give up, instead opting to make use of my almost otherworldly looks. 

I had long silky straight hair, with eyes that could even bewitch the average person, and perfectly proportioned features. I really was a pretty boy.

However in a world with magic, strength was much more important than good looks.

I struggled to get up off the floor, but I managed to force my body to move. Once I was up, I hurried to the bathroom connected to my room, and began to run the water. I was soon laying in a large tub, and soaking my exhausted body.

"I need to avoid getting into a fight with the Hero. If I can avoid that... I can probably just get good grades in my studies and live an easy life managing a company or something. With this body I can't win a fight, ever."

I glanced down at my body that had not a single bit of muscle, and sighed. I was a battle addict, who couldn't fight. I felt incredibly disheartened, but maybe I could find a way to strengthen my body at the Academy.

I soon finished soaking in the shower, and climbed into my giant bed.

"At least the Black family is super loaded. I could live without ever working again, with the money they have... Not that my dad would let me."

However I decided to just enjoy the luxuries I could for now, before I had to live in the dorms of the Academy, and away from all this luxury.

****

A month had passed since I awakened with the memories of another life, and I was currently on a train heading towards the Academy. The Academy was located in a remote forest, which could only be reached by train, and was as big as a city. It was independently functioning, even though it was isolated from major cities. There was only the train to get to things like shopping malls, and such, but there were a lot of gourmet restaurants.

I saw these businesses as I rode on the train, in a private train booth, taking note of anything I might want to visit in my free time. 

...

The train soon came to a halt, as we arrived at the Academy train stop, and I grabbed my suitcase. I soon got off the train, and began following the signs to the Academy.

Everything was normal. Even though the Academy was a gathering place for people from all sorts of influential families, I didn't run into anyone I knew. This was also due to me not having many friends, but I was feeling as though I might have a chance at avoiding trouble at the school.

However that all came crashing down when, while I was walking to my dorm after the entrance ceremony finished, I bumped into a girl. She had dropped the books in her hand, onto the ground, and I bent down to help her pick up her things.

"I'm sorry, I should have paid better attention to where I was walking."

"Huh? No its alright, it was my fault too. I should also look where I am wa-"

She had looked up after getting all her books, when she made eye contact with me. She then suddenly lost her train of thought, and simply stared at me, star struck.

'Ah... I guess this is a pretty normal response to my looks.'

I smiled lightly, and handed her the things I had picked up. This seemed to snap her out of her stupor.

"Ah! Thank you so much for helping me pick up my books... That's really so kind of you."

She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, and I could see her blushing slightly. I simply smiled and was about to walk away when I heard an angry voice behind me.

"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU SCUM!"

I turned around, and there he was. 

The story's hero.

But who was he talking to?

I looked around me, but I didn't see anyone acting like a scum bag, when I remembered something.

'Oh wait... I'm a scum bag.'

The Hero quickly came over, and pulled the girl away from me. Standing in front of her, as if to shield her from me, he stared at me angrily.

"Malory, you should stay away from this guy! He's Atlas Black, the guy I told you about from my city, who is a famous degenerate."

I was slightly surprised that he was from the same city as me, but I didn't contradict what he said.

"What? Collin he seems like a nice guy.."

"What? Malory?"

The Hero, Collin Reynolds, looked at her in such confusion. He then turned to me, and got even angrier. 

"He must have tricked you! He is well known to do whatever it takes to sleep with women!"

It was at this point that I couldn't take listening to him anymore without saying anything.

"Hey. I might be a playboy, but I'm not a fucking liar. You think I need to lie to pick up women? Look at me."

However the moment these words left my mouth, I realized how the fight between the hero and Atlas from the game got into a fight. I could clearly see the inferiority in the Hero's eyes.

'Oh! He fought me because I was good looking! Me being an asshole must have been the reason I was expelled.'

Once I realized this, it all made sense. Remembering the story and how I was expelled just for getting into a fight, it didn't make sense. However if I abused my status and belittled him for being poor, that made more sense. Those kinds of people were not welcome at the Academy, as they made life for talented, but poor students hard. They valued talent more than anything.

I could apologize, and concede my pride, but I wasn't going to. I didn't like how he came up to me, to shit talk, and wanted to act like I was the asshole.

I walked up to him, and looked down at him.

Yes. Down.

He was a little short stack, at a modest 5 foot 8, while I was skinny I was also tall. I was at a towering 6 foot 4. I towered over him. However I could see his well developed muscles through his dirty white tee, but that didn't bother me. 

"While your mouth is filled with lies, there is nothing more honest than a fight. Let's let our fists do the talking."

While I said I would fight him because of my pride, in truth I just wanted to fight someone. Anyone.

"Haha... I heard you've never trained your swordsmanship. So I'll fight you in unarmed combat. Want me to tie a hand behind my back? Maybe that way you'll have a chance."

He then threw his head back to laugh, but I simply looked at him with the same unimpressed expression as before.

"I just wish you would shut up during the fight."

With that I stepped a few feet from him, and got ready to fight. While the owner of this body never fought before, in my past life I played a ton of VR games.

I stood in a traditional boxing stance, and waited for Collin to get ready. When he saw me still willing to fight, his expression turned to one that looked like he just tasted shit in his mouth.

He took a lazy stance, and began talking again.

"You could just get on your knees and beg for mercy. What's the point of embarrassing yourself?"

Sighing, I looked back at him.

"Just shut the fuck up and come at me."

He clenched his teeth, and his neck veins bulged as well. He then quickly rushed towards me, throwing a terrible punch with absolutely no dedication to form.

I could see the punch coming my way, but it wasn't until after I started to move did I realize something.

'I.. Can't dodge this.'

My body was so untrained that even though I could react, I couldn't dodge it. The punch soon connected with my cheek, and I was sent flying.

I flew over five feet, before finally catching myself mid roll. I was able to stop myself from tumbling one more time, but I was incredibly dizzy. I was feeling hopeless, when I saw something in the corner of my vision. Feeling like the fight was already lost, I decided to focus on the glow.

[Trait: War God]

[When in combat, you learn at an extreme rate.]

Collin was walking over towards me, taunting me.

"HAAHAH! You couldn't even block such a lame punch! You should quit, you don't belong here. Here, to help you save your pride.. I'll tell the teachers you tried to assault my friend Malory and get you expelled. Well... Leave it to me. You... Should take a NAP!"

With that, he threw a kick towards me, however something magical happened.

I felt an incredible feeling.

I could see the kick coming, and I was immediately able to read the trajectory. With a desperate move, I threw my body to the side, and was able to dodge the kick by a hair's breadth.

Immediately after I began to use my experiences from my past life to start my counter attack.

I grabbed his other ankle, and pulled it towards myself. He fell off balance, but he wasn't completely helpless in a fight. He was the Hero, and he did train regularly. However he lacked combat experience. He was simply talented with a sword.

He tried catching himself with one of his arms, but I kicked that arm out with my foot. He then fell to the ground, and I didn't let the chance slip. I entered a mount position, and began throwing punches wildly at him. Since he was defending, it was much harder to do anything from his position. I was throwing wild punches, waiting for him to throw a random punch himself, trying to break my momentum or catch me by chance.

When he finally panicked and threw a bad punch, I pounced on that mistake. I dodged to the side, and when it missed, I quickly grabbed the wrist. I moved quickly, much more smoothly than I think I was capable of, and got him into an armbar.

I positioned my hip, and began to pull his arm. He struggled at first, but quickly lost that composure.

"AHH AHH! LET GO YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK MY ARM! LET GOOOOOOOOOOO!"

However I wasn't going to let go. Perhaps because I was used to more feeling exhilarated from my first fight, but I was fully planning to break his arm. The crush his fighting spirit...

However I felt someone wrap their hand around my entire head, and begin to exert an unworldly amount of pressure in their grip.

I quickly released the lock I had on Collin, and grabbed the hand on my head. Trying to pry the fingers off, but they felt like welded steel. They refused to move even in the slightest. While struggling to remove the fingers, a voice entered my ears.

"I don't know what you two are fighting over, but how dare you try to start fights on the first day. Do you think nothing of the rules of the academy?"

He finally threw me to the ground, letting go of my head, and I finally got a good look at the person who broke up the fight.

It was a giant of a man, wearing what looked like a traditional martial artist's uniform, with a black belt wrapped around his waist. I knew this guy too.

"It was HIS fault!"

Collin was obviously the one who said this, immediately trying to pin the blame entirely on me. However I knew the character of the teacher before me.

The teacher then turned and looked at me, waiting for an explanation from me, however I said something completely unexpected. I shrugged my shoulders and looked the teacher directly.

"He was running his mouth, so I fought him."

Collin looked at me with a gloating look, but I knew better.

The teacher before us was Alan Friese, the freshman combat instructor, and also a man who thought that men should be MEN. He hated those who schemed, and instead preferred people who were straightforward. He probably was watching the entire thing, and instead was testing us to see how we would react to getting 'caught'.

He was looking at me without any change in his expression, but he suddenly burst out into laughter.

"Haha! Good! This is how men should be! YOU! You're a PUSSY! I saw what happened, and I even heard you threatening him during the fight. You're a coward, and if it were up to me, I would throw you out right now. But I'll leave it to the headmaster to decide. Get the fuck out of my sight."

Collin's expression collapsed at this, and it quickly turned to fear. He quickly got to his feet, and ran off to his dorm. I had gotten to my feet, and was about to leave, when I felt an iron hand on my shoulder.

I turned and looked at Professor Friese.

"Did you need something, sir?"

Smiling, the grip was let go.

"I just wanted to say.. It was a good fight considering you're weak as shit."

It was a compliment, but it really didn't feel like one. Making a face, I turned and began to walk away without saying anything else. This time he didn't stop me, and I quickly made my way to my dorm. I was almost at the pace where I was lightly jogging, but I didn't want to embarrass myself by running. Along the way, I passed by a girl with platinum blonde hair, and a traditional katana on her back.

As I briskly walked by, I heard her mutter something.

"Nice fight."

I turned around for a double take when I heard that, but I quickly started walking again.

'Who was that chick again? I forgot.'

Shaking my head, I decided I would think about it later. For now I just wanted to get to my room and rest. I also desperately wanted to shower since I just got done wrestling on the grass. So the first thing I did when I got to my room was hop into the shower.