9:30 AM.
As I stepped in, the sound of the door echoed through the space, breaking the expectant silence that enveloped me.
The interior of the room was bathed in the soft morning light filtering through the wide windows, creating a mosaic of dancing shadows on the polished concrete walls.
A wave of curious gazes fell upon me, filling the room with palpable tension.
I could feel the weight of those gazes, each one carrying its own story, expectations, and judgments.
'Why is everyone staring at me?'
The question echoed in my mind, accompanied by a subtle anxiety tightening my chest.
In truth, I knew the reason for their stares, but I chose to ignore it.
The grandeur of the room exceeded my expectations, reflecting the imposing nature of the academy I had only envisioned while writing my novel.
The room was even larger than I had imagined, but I accepted it easily. After all, this was Spectra.
Swallowing hard, I took a hesitant step into the room, feeling as if I were entering uncharted territory.
My eyes quickly scanned the room, finding faces I knew well but only as products of my imagination.
They were unmistakable.
Arthur and Kai, so vivid and real that I could hardly believe it.
Kai, with his rebellious posture, seemed to radiate an untamed energy—a perfect embodiment of the description I had given him in my novel.
As I discreetly approached, I caught a fragment of their conversation.
Kai was trying to persuade Arthur to accept a duel after the auditorium session, his voice brimming with challenge and anticipation.
"Come on, Arthur. It'll be a great way to test our skills after all this time."
Kai insisted, a provocative gleam in his eyes.
Arthur, in turn, responded with a calm smile; his patience and composure were almost tangible in his voice.
"There's a time and place for everything, Kai. Today doesn't seem like a good day for a duel."
The wisdom in his words perfectly reflected his personality.
In my novel, Kai considered Arthur his rival, though Arthur didn't pay much attention to that.
I took a seat and, like everyone else, waited for the professor to arrive.
Since today was the first day at Spectra, nothing too grand was supposed to happen; the professor would just explain how things would work from now on.
"Sigh!" I sighed as I reflected on recent events.
I was truly lost; everything that had happened since the morning until my walk to Spectra felt too real to be just a dream or something like that.
It was about time for me to accept that this was more than real.
'How did I end up here?'
I had no idea.
Suddenly, I remembered something.
The night before, I remembered seeing a comment from a reader who was outraged by the events in the novel and Evan's suffering.
'Author, you bastard. If gods exist, I wish for you to suffer as much as Evan does!'
He had said something like that. This couldn't be real.
'Could it be that some god actually granted that reader's wish and brought me into my novel's world, wanting me to live Evan's life? This is madness.'
As I sank deeper into my thoughts, I felt a gaze fall upon me.
I turned to the side and saw one of the main characters from my novel.
It was Derek.
He was glaring at me with a scowl.
I wasn't entirely sure why, since the early chapters weren't focused on Evan; however, as the author of my novel, I could make a pretty good guess.
Derek was arrogant and prejudiced, coming from a wealthy and privileged family.
He always carried an air of superiority over the other students, especially those who didn't share his social status.
In my novel, I wrote that Derek knew Evan came from humble beginnings and doubted his abilities.
Derek wasn't the type to be content with just observing from afar.
Coming from one of the wealthiest and most influential families associated with Spectra, he had access to resources most students couldn't even dream of.
Before the semester had even started, Derek used his connections to gather information about the new students in his class, particularly those like Evan, who were admitted through scholarship programs or came from modest backgrounds.
He probably believed Evan had no place in an academy like Spectra.
Seeing that, I averted my gaze and chose to ignore him. Getting into trouble with him on the first day could become a hassle.
"Everyone. I ask for your attention now."
Before I realized it, the instructor had entered the room, standing at the podium in front of us. Obviously, he had used his abilities to slip into the room unnoticed.
"Welcome to the Spectra Academy of Heroes."
Sebastian, the high-ranking instructor and experienced hero, took the podium with an imposing presence; his eyes scanned the room with seriousness before he began his introduction.
"My name is Sebastian,"
he began, his voice resonating with authority.
"Here, we aim to cultivate and develop the potential of each of you, regardless of your background or circumstances."
"As you may know, some of you are here on scholarships, while others have the privilege of financing their own education. However, it's important to remember that within Spectra, everyone is equal."
Sebastian paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before continuing.
"At Spectra, we value not only battlefield training but also academic education. You'll find comfortable, well-equipped dormitories available for those who choose to reside here. While it's not mandatory, it's highly recommended for convenience and integration into academic life."
In my novel, Evan didn't stay in the Spectra dorms because he had to take care of his two younger siblings.
Even though it was the best choice, it was impossible for him to stay at Spectra and leave Noah and Emma alone. Of course, I'd have to make the same choice he did.
"Our academy operates on a system of mandatory and optional classes. Mandatory classes are those that all students must attend, covering fundamental topics for your development as heroes. As for the optional classes, students have the freedom to choose based on their individual interests and goals."
I had no reason to attend the optional classes for now.
"However, remember that success in this academy isn't just about the number of classes you attend. It's about the dedication and commitment you demonstrate in every aspect of your journey."
Sebastian's eyes scanned the room, capturing everyone's attention before continuing.
"I would also like to announce that, in three days, we will hold a special team test."
"It will be a valuable opportunity for everyone to showcase their skills in a practical scenario, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategy. More details will be provided soon, but prepare yourselves to face challenges that will demand the best of your physical and magical abilities."
Sebastian's words sparked a wave of excited murmurs among the students.
Three days, he had said.
I had to use that time to organize myself and better understand Evan's powers.
'I'm screwed.'
"Finally, each of you will have the chance to progress within Spectra through a points system. Your efforts and performance in training, missions, and extracurricular activities will determine your rank within the academy. So, don't forget to give it your best in the upcoming test."
I remembered adding a ranking system. Depending on your rank in the academy, you could gain access to better rooms, equipment, and even artifacts.
The artifacts weren't high-level; however, for someone who didn't have enough money to even choose where to die, I decided to pay attention to that.
"Remember, the path to becoming a hero isn't just about individual skills but also teamwork, ethics, and perseverance. I look forward to witnessing the growth of each of you during your journey here at Spectra…"
With that, the professor continued with a few motivational speeches.
"…"
"Lastly, since not all of you will become heroes who rely entirely on magical power, today you'll have the opportunity to choose some weapons that catch your attention."
That piqued my interest.
I hadn't cared much about it earlier, being too scared and confused by everything that had happened.
But I could clearly feel a strange energy coursing through my body.
This was undoubtedly magical power. Since it was 2031 and the first day at the academy, Evan must have already acquired his powers.
In my novel, Evan had nothing special until he stumbled upon a hidden dungeon.
Because the dungeon wasn't difficult, he had no trouble clearing it.
Inside, he found a scroll that allowed him to have an audience with a demon. Anyone in their right mind would refuse such a thing.
But Evan, desperate for power to grow stronger and take care of his siblings, saw it as an opportunity.
He made a pact with a demon in exchange for power.
Evan gained the ability to manipulate shadows at will. And not just that; after making the pact, he acquired the skill to use a system of abilities through a window that appeared before him.
It was something akin to a standard status window in novels and anime.
The difference was that, instead of the protagonist receiving this power, I gave it to someone destined to become a villain.
It was both a double-edged sword and a blessing, as that power now belonged to me.
While I was lost in thought, the professor spoke again.
"Now, you can all follow me to the room where you'll be able to choose your weapons."
"And for those who aren't interested, an instructor will be waiting outside this room to show you your dorms and quarters."
When I decided to pick a weapon, hesitation washed over me.
Doubts about the effectiveness of Evan's abilities, as I had described them in my novel, weighed heavily on me.
After all, even though his abilities were formidable on paper, replicating them in reality was an entirely different matter.
With that thought in mind, I joined the other students in the weapon selection room, determined to pick a sword as a precaution.
The room wasn't anything special; the weapons were quite ordinary, actually.
Spectra was known for not allowing students to use their own weapons inside the academy.
It would be similar to "pay-to-win" if that were allowed, considering the abundance of rare weapons in the world.
But that rule applied only inside Spectra; outside of it, things were completely different.
===
Like many other students, I went to the weapon selection room.
Wasting no time, I went straight for a sword.
My hand had barely touched the hilt of one of the displayed swords when a voice startled me, making me flinch slightly.
"You..."
The voice carried a note of surprise and reproach.
"I know you have magical abilities. Why, then, would you choose a sword?"
Turning, I found myself face-to-face with Derek, whose imposing presence and critical gaze were intimidating.
I wasn't surprised it was him, as he was the type to seize any opportunity to create conflict, especially on the first day.
My response was immediate, though my voice carried a hint of defiance.
"And since when do my choices matter to you?"
"You... What did you just say?"
He was holding a bow, but I knew he wouldn't be reckless enough to try shooting at me on the first day.
The tension between us escalated quickly.
Then, suddenly, Arthur appeared.
His hand rested on Derek's shoulder—a gesture of restraint.
"Come on, there's no need to create internal conflicts. If he's here at Spectra, he's proven his abilities. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Besides, the professor already clarified that we have the freedom to choose our weapons."
Arthur spoke with a calmness and a smile that disarmed any hostility—qualities that marked him as the true protagonist of my novel. His kindness and amiability were as palpable as his beauty.
I must admit that his appearance surprised me even more when seeing him in person.
"Fine," Derek said, clearly dissatisfied but unable to argue against Arthur's logic.
He then stepped away, throwing me a reproachful look.
Arthur turned to me, his gentle smile still gracing his face.
"Don't worry about him."
"I won't," I replied, then picked up a sword and left.
With the sword now properly sheathed in my hand, I walked away from the scene, thoughtful about the events that had just unfolded but also somewhat relieved by Arthur's peaceful intervention.
I was leaving the room when I saw someone who truly surprised me.
She stood out not just for her confident posture but also for her long red hair, a glimpse of fire amid the soft light of the room.
Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, the strands cascading down in a way that seemed to perfectly capture her rebellious and untamed personality.
It was hard not to recognize her; she stood out with her striking presence.
She possessed a beauty that didn't seek approval but instead defied expectations.
Her piercing emerald-green eyes were fixed on me, analyzing me with an intensity I felt deep within.
She looked away when our eyes met, her gesture heavy with disinterest.
I did the same, trying to ignore the weight of that silent exchange.
The uncertainty of how to interact with her and the other characters from my own novel weighed heavily on my mind. I didn't know what I should do next in this world, but I was certain that survival was my top priority.
Staying away from the main characters, at least in the beginning, seemed like the best choice. After all, I didn't want to get involved in the main events of my novel just yet.
I grabbed the sword, still sheathed, and held it firmly as I walked away from the scene. While I walked, thoughts about the events that had just unfolded left me deep in thought, but also relieved by Arthur's peaceful intervention.
My mind was already focused on the next step: leaving Spectra and heading back home. Noah and Emma needed me.