---

“This must be that Melian…”

Melian is one of the largest cities on the continent. At the same time, it’s the city where the story of ‘Eternal Fantasy’ unfolds, the place where the Academy exists and serves as the main stage.

Finally arriving in Melian, I took in the city’s scenery, which overlapped with the landscapes I saw in the game, and once again realized that I had been transported into this world.

“Is the real game starting now?”

In the past seven years of living as an adventurer, a lot of things happened. I traveled around the continent, pursued the organization known as Akindas, and searched for various fortuitous encounters scattered here and there. I tackled quests and really worked hard to survive.

“Well, with ability stats like this, it should be fine.”

Name: Nova

Unique Trait: Copy (Lv.2)

Strength: B-

Speed: B+

Stamina: C+

Intelligence: A

[Passive Skills]

Ability Copy (Rank: S)

Copies the opponent’s abilities.

(* The copied ability is reduced by one rank.)

Mana Copy (Rank: S)

Copies the opponent’s mana.

(* Unique traits cannot be copied.)

Insight Eye (Rank: A)

Assesses the opponent’s movements.

[Current Mana Status]

Elemental Affinity: □□ (Depends on the target)

Mana Amount: 400/400

Firepower: C

Proficiency: E

The mana state is… pathetic, but at least the basic stats are raised to average for an Academy student, so it’s not a problem. After all, if I need mana, I can just copy it.

More importantly, I need to raise my base specs. When I faced that organization leader, Ned, the gap in our abilities was so massive that it was dangerous when copying failed. I really thought I was going to die.

Later, I learned that I was actually given an immense advantage during that encounter.

“I never expected the rank differences in abilities to be so extreme.”

F and E levels are roughly the difference between a child and an adult male’s strength. Starting from C, you’re looking at somewhat seasoned adventurers. B means someone has a bit of a reputation. You’d need about ten people with C level abilities to match one.

Since then, I’ve seen opponents with A rank abilities only a handful of times. That squinty-eyed guy had strength ranked S+, and his mana and speed were immeasurable. Normally, I should have been killed instantly.

What is he? A mage with such strength? Is this what gets called a power mage?

Anyway, students attending the Academy generally have abilities ranging from C to B rank. It’s appalling that after seven years, I’ve only grown this much, but it can’t be helped. I never imagined that quests would stop coming out since then. Because of that, it was quite difficult to improve my abilities.

I grew through hardship, hitting the ground myself.

[Quest Window]

Enroll in the Academy (In Progress)

Success: (Entry into Main Quest)

Failure: (Death)

Finally, after ten years, a new quest has emerged. If I fail, I would die, so this is probably the Academy becoming the backdrop for a demon world invasion. If I can’t stop that event, the world will surely end…

Honestly, entering the Academy is the main objective, so it doesn’t matter.

“Finally, I can see you, Stella.”

I learned during my adventurer days that Stella hadn’t been captured by those guys.

A year into my journey, rumors spread across the continent about a divine entity appearing at the Golden Magic Tower.

One of the top ten mages in the continent, Ozwell Rockpelikan, was said to have accepted a disciple who awakened the unique trait of the former hero party’s mage, [Blessing of the Stars].

The reappearance of the long-vacant position of the hero party’s mage attracted a lot of envy from other magic towers.

Since then, I’ve heard plenty about her: mastering five elemental affinities and becoming a Tier 6 mage. The rumors of her unique trait alone are said to crush anyone, proving her extraordinary abilities.

“That’s probably how the original plot was supposed to develop.”

If that’s the case, I must not interfere. I wanted to visit the tower many times, but I’ve waited all this time for this day.

Anyone cannot simply enter, and if I encounter Stella at the tower beforehand, who knows how the original plot will unfold?

If I intervene and Stella leaves the tower prematurely, it could prevent her growth and lead to future battles we simply cannot win.

Stella is an important asset. I absolutely need her power. Of course, that’s important, but the most crucial matter is saving my goofy childhood friend, Stella.

“Stella will die during the summer break of her second year; I need to figure out a way before that…”

In the game ‘Eternal Fantasy’, the heroine route you choose, along with the selected traits, greatly influences the story each time.

Traits related to physical enhancement stem from gluttony, lust, or sloth. Special traits linked to magic come from pride, envy, or greed.

The mental traits have the Demon King of Wrath appearing.

My unique trait is Copy, which indicates that the upcoming Demon King is probably Satan, the King of Wrath.

“If it’s another Demon King, I have plenty of ways to deal with it.”

For now, I need to find the entrance exam location.

If I remember correctly, there are two designated spots for the entrance exam: the Academy and the central plaza of Melian. I was assigned to the central plaza.

“Was it around here?”

Being a newcomer just entering the city after a long wander, my steps held no hesitation.

‘I’ve passed through this place so many times in the game, so getting lost is simply unacceptable…’

It should have been, but…

“Uh-oh…?”

Yeah, it seems I’ve messed up.

“Where the heck am I, damn it?”

By this time, I should have reached the vicinity of the central plaza. Instead, I was walking through a messy alleyway with no sunlight.

Now that I think about it, I’ve been in this world for seven years. It’s been more than seven years since I played the game. While I remember the main game’s content and the story, my memory isn’t good enough to recall every city and street location in detail.

“If I miss the exam time, I’ll really die.”

Should I just grab someone and ask where the exam is? With little time left before the exam starts, I hurried my steps, and just as I rounded the corner…

-Crash!

I collided with something coming from the opposite side and fell over.

“Ouch, ouch… I’m sorry! I was so in a hurry that I didn’t see where I was going.”

Dazed, I looked up to take in the face of the girl I bumped into.

Seeing her appearance, I realized immediately who she was. Of course, as she was a major character in the game.

She had beautifully braided pitch-black hair just like mine and possessed golden eyes shining like gold, adorned in shaman robes.

‘Sia…’

She’s a shaman from a country called Miyako that exists to the East, beyond the continent of ‘Panthea,’ where the main story of the game takes place.

“Are you from the East, with black hair and eyes? It seems we share a homeland?”

Extending her hand kindly, she spoke, and snapping out of my daze, I took her hand and stood up.

“No, I’m not from the East. I’m just as at fault for not looking where I was going.”

“I see, I thought I had met a compatriot from another country, what a pity.”

As she spoke, she spotted the sword at my waist and asked, “Are you here for the Academy entrance exam?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right! How did you know?”

“With Tanjujiu [吞舟之魚], you give off a unique vibe… seems you have some significant purpose.”

Her eyes shone with golden light as she spoke.

‘Is she using her ability?’

Sia’s unique trait, Divine Descent, allows her to summon a deity into herself using a spell or technique and borrow a fraction of that power.

As a major heroine in Eternal Fantasy, her powers are indeed remarkable, though they don’t hold a candle to Stella’s. However, since she’s a growth-oriented character, she’ll become even stronger as the story progresses. She’s essential for taking down the Demon King.

“Ah! I shouldn’t be dawdling here! I need to get to the exam site immediately or I might be disqualified! Do you know the way there??”

“Um… Actually, I’m lost too.”

“Between a rock and a hard place… There’s no time to chat leisurely.”

“Let’s get out of here first.”

No sooner had I said that and attempted to leave together when…

-Scream!!!

A scream echoed from nearby, close to the back alley.

“What was that scream? Wait a second!”

Before I grasped the situation fully, Sia dashed toward the source of the scream.

“Ah… damn, there’s no time!”

I reluctantly ran after her, heading toward where the scream had come from.

Checking the scene of the scream, I found several burly men surrounding a lone woman.

“What the hell is going on here?!”

In response to Sia’s question, the men exchanged glances before one of them spoke.

“It’s nothing much; it’d be best for you to just leave while I’m still speaking nicely, lady.”

“Or if you prefer, you can take her place and deal with us instead.”

They were undeniably the typical third-rate villains, and even with Insight Eye, they were clearly below par.

‘I need to finish this quickly and find the examination arena.’

Just as I was trying to draw my sword…

“Let her go, right now. If you don’t…”

A soft cloud-like aura surrounded Sia, emanating an unusual energy.

“I will dismember you.”

Isn’t she just saying she’ll kill them?

 

---