"Ah, I'm fucked."

He stared at his reflection shown in the mirror.

Two amethyst pupils and jet–black hair, followed by his face which was dripping with water. 

He'd washed it, hoping the cold shock might reveal some clarity to prove that what he was seeing wasn't real.

"Shit, why this guy!?"

Of all the unique characters he could've transmigrated into, it had to be an NPC. 

An NPC dismissed from the University after severe allegations, losing his teaching profession and ultimately, exiled from the Empire.

But in all honesty, that wasn't what was important.

".....How did I even get here!?"

From what he could remember, he had dozed off while playing his favorite game.

Conquering the Heroines with my Heavenly Black Draconic Sword!

But due to its absurdly long title, players called it Black Dragon.

Ironically, the game's final boss was also a Black Dragon.

In any case, it was a game he had sworn to play the entire winter–break under the pretext of 'locking in.'

He'd only picked up the game as a joke after his colleague told him about it.

However, what he didn't realize was the addictive premise the game had.

With "endless unique endings" and "immersive relationships" featuring companions who somehow combined tragic backstories with wardrobe malfunctions, how could 33-year-old office worker Chae Eun-woo not get addicted?

"I wasn't addicted!"

Is what he tells himself.

But truth be told, he had only fully immersed himself in the game after getting fired.

The official reason? 

Misconduct, dishonesty, and unethical behavior.

But that was nonsense. He was set up—he just knew it!

One of his co–workers set him up!

He was sure of it.

Some co-worker had started rumors about him, which spread like wildfire, and, of course, someone tampered with his work to make it all look true.

In the end, he lost his job, and due to his shiny new reputation, he was unable to land another job.

Interview after interview, rejection after rejection—always the same response: "Thank you, but no."

He could practically hear the words buzzing in his head, causing him a migraine.

"Haaa….."

And now, as if it were some twisted fate, he was now an NPC, who shared similar circumstances with him.

However, after spending so much time in the game, he knew all too well that he was responsible for apprehending the very NPC he was now stuck as. 

He was painfully aware of the truth.

This guy was a full blown asshole!

"Vanitas Astrea.…."

The name of the NPC. A bastard instructor of Silver University Tower, who was somehow an early game third–rate boss.

"His allegations were….."

He tried to recall. This NPC, who he had successfully apprehended in every run, to the point where it became a rather meager task.

"Ah."

Finally, he remembered.

"Magic thesis plagiarism.…."

"Unlicensed potion trading….."

"Selling University Tower secrets….."

"Unauthorized summoning of lower demons….."

"Conducting 'private lessons' after curfew….."

"Misappropriation of University funds for 'personal research'….."

"Creating counterfeit enchantments….."

So on and so forth.

And if all that were true, which he was painfully aware it was.

Then it was only a matter of time before the Tower's disciplinary board came knocking.

Vanitas Astrea's name was practically engraved in their blacklist by now.

Which meant he'd be facing some very unpleasant repercussions. Soon.

"Fuck, fuck….!"

He gulped, realizing the irony. The guy he'd routinely apprehended for a laugh was now him.

No backup save files. No easy way out.

Just him and a whole roster of pissed–off, morally upright NPCs waiting for him to slip up.

He stared at his reflection once more, a frown forming on his face.

It was then.

[Character synchronization completed.]

"...?"

A screen hovered right in front of him.

A familiar interface, the same font, the same color grading as the system interface he had seen in the game.

"Ukh…!"

Followed by an unbearable sharp migraine. So much so, that he felt like ripping his hair out as he clutched his head.

Thwack!

"Ukh!"

In his frantic, disoriented movements, he slammed his head against the bathroom sink. 

Blood trickled down his forehead as he collapsed onto his knees.

It took about thirty minutes for the migraine to subside.

In the end, he found himself staring blankly at the ceiling.

All of a sudden.

———「Attainments」———

「Aqua」

◆ Master

「Pyro」

◆ Intermediate

「Gaia」

◆ Intermediate

「Zephyr」

◆ Grandmaster

————————————

Several general attribute interfaces flashed before his peripheral vision.

"Eh?"

———「Stigmata」———

「Silent Dominion」

◆ Allows spells to be cast purely through intent, with magic flowing directly from thought, silent and swift as an extension of will.

————————————

"What!?"

This guy…..

Inside the game, there was a unique array of spells that could be casted through incantations that allows the weaving of magic circuits.

However, reading the stigmata's description, it meant, Vanitas Astrea had the ability to cast spells with merely a thought.

In other words, incantation-less chanting.

"....."

But it wasn't the end of it.

———「Stigmata」———

「Boundless Reservoir」

◆ Understanding: 0%

◆ Capacity: 5000/5000

◆ Fosters continuous growth in mana reserves, allowing mana capacity to expand and evolve over time.

————————————

"....."

The previous stigmata had already taken him aback. But this one left him completely astonished.

While mages can expand their mana reserves through training, mana cores have strict limits that eventually bottleneck growth once capacity is reached.

However, from the stigmata's description, this meant he had no bottleneck.

".....Isn't this guy a third–rate early game boss!?"

No, hold on.

Maybe the sudden splurge of power was because of him?

After all, he was the player.

"Yes, yes!?"

That had to be it.

"Haha. Of course, of cour—"

At that moment, fragments of information flowed into his brain.

Vanitas Astrea, 26 years–old, eldest son and heir to House Astrea, a Viscount Family.

As if Vanitas' personality was outlined, he felt it colliding with Chae Eun–woo's.

"....."

He had come to realize.

There was no thesis plagiarism and so on.

At least, he didn't feel like that was the case. In fact, he felt his desperation overflow his emotions.

Then did that mean….

Vanitas was set–up?

Just like Chae Eun–woo?

But the next notification….

———「Act One」———

◆ Objective: Prevent the upcoming allegations and avoid losing your teaching profession at all cost.

「Rewards:」

◆ Understanding: +20%

◆ Spectacles of the Player's Archive

————————————

…..Made his face go pale.