I blinked, trying to shake off the grogginess that clung to my mind like cobwebs. The ceiling above me wasn't familiar. Ornate, covered in swirling patterns that looked like something out of a medieval fans novel.
This definitely wasn't my bedroom.
I sat up slowly, glancing around. Tall shelves crammed with dusty old books, heavy velvet curtains, and the faint scent of ink and old parchment in the air. It looked like some kind of study room. But the question was: how the hell did I get here?
Rubbing my eyes, I tried to remember what I was doing before... well, before waking up here. I had just finished a long night of gaming, sprawled on my bed with my laptop. Then... nothing.
"Alright," I muttered to myself, stretching my stiff neck. "Either I'm still dreaming, or I've been thrown into some kind of weird cosplay convention."
But just as I was about to pinch myself, a glowing blue screen popped up in front of my face, nearly making me fall off the chair.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Welcome, Akita Matsumoto! Your mission: Survive Valiere Academy!
Wait, what? I blinked, staring at the screen like it had personally offended me. Survive? Valiere Academy?
That name... why did it sound so familiar? And what was this mission nonsense?
Before I could process the information, more text scrolled down the screen:
[Character Stats Loaded]
• Name: Akita Matsumoto
• Essence Affinity: Unknown
• Ability: Coin Flip
• Level:
• HP: 100/100
• MP: 50/50
"Great," I groaned, rubbing my temples. "I've been isekai'd into an RPG world. Just what I needed."
But then it hit me—Valiere Academy was my creation. Years ago, when I was bored out of my mind, I'd written up this whole setting for a story that I never really finished. A magic academy full of dangerous students, political intrigue, and overly complicated Essence Weaving. And now, apparently, I was stuck in it.
"Alright, Akita," I told myself, trying to stay calm. "First things first. Figure out how to survive. Because if this place is even half as deadly as I wrote it, I'm royally screwed."
I stood up and quickly realized I was dressed in some kind of uniform—dark blue jacket, black trousers, and shiny boots that were just a little too tight. The insignia over my chest was a silver crescent moon, which I vaguely remembered being the symbol of... something important in the academy.
Think, Akita, think. If this really was Valiere Academy, then I had a pretty good idea of where I was: the Orientation Wing for new students. The problem was, I couldn't remember exactly what was supposed to happen next. The story I wrote was more of a rough outline than a finished plot.
I cautiously opened the door and peered out into the hallway. It was crowded with students, all wearing similar uniforms, their faces a mix of nervousness and excitement. Some of them were chatting, others looked as lost as I felt.
Alright, blend in, don't draw attention.
That was Rule #1 for surviving in a world where half the students could probably set you on fire with a thought.
I stepped into the hallway, trying to look as nonchalant as possible. But with my white hair and red eyes—features I didn't remember having back in my real world—I definitely stood out. Great. The one time I actually wanted to be a background character, and I looked like the protagonist of some edgy anime.
The crowd flowed like a river, and I let myself get carried along, trying to pick up snippets of conversation as we moved. Words like "Essence Weaving," "mana channels," and "entrance exam" floated past me.
Essence Weaving... right. That was the magic system I came up with. It was based on manipulating the world's fundamental energies to create spells, enhance physical abilities, or even mess with time if you were skilled enough. Of course, most people just used it to blow stuff up.
As I turned another corner, I nearly bumped into a tall, muscular guy with a booming voice. "Watch where you're going, newbie!" he barked, glaring down at me.
"Uh, sorry," I mumbled, keeping my head low. Don't engage, don't engage.
Luckily, he seemed to lose interest quickly, turning to bark orders at some other confused first-years. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. The last thing I needed on my first day was to pick a fight with some meathead who probably had a high-level Essence ability.
After what felt like hours of wandering, I finally found myself in a massive, open hall with a domed ceiling. The Grand Hall, if I remembered correctly. It was packed with new students, all nervously waiting for the orientation to begin.
I slunk into a corner, trying to look as small as possible. No need to stand out when there were probably assassins, dragon-blooded nobles, and god-knows-what-else in the crowd.
The air was thick with excitement, and the occasional burst of magical energy crackled in the background as students tested their abilities. Seriously, guys? Can't we just have a normal school assembly?
Just as I was starting to relax, a blinding flash of light erupted at the front of the hall. The chatter died down instantly as a tall, elegant woman stepped onto a raised platform. Her flowing white robes shimmered with gold thread, and her presence commanded the attention of every single student.
"Welcome, students, to Valiere Academy," she announced, her voice echoing through the hall. This had to be Lady Seraphine, the headmistress. "This year, you will face challenges that will test your limits. But remember: survival here is not guaranteed."
I groaned inwardly. Great, she just had to say the survival thing, didn't she?
Lady Seraphine continued, her golden eyes sweeping across the crowd. "Here, you will learn to master your Essence, forge alliances, and perhaps discover your true potential. But be warned—those who fall behind will not be shown mercy."
As she spoke, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. This was no ordinary school, and I wasn't just some random extra anymore. If I wasn't careful, my lazy strategy of lying low might just get me killed.
End of Chapter 1