I took a deep breath. My heart raced as I examined my right hand again.
Such pale skin—almost corpse-white. Pretty funny, really. I feel like laughing.
It had only been one day since I transmigrated.
If I didn't already have white hair, I'd be worried about going gray.
I looked up at the ceiling, bored.
The white lamps overhead made me grateful this wasn't a world trapped in eternal Middle Ages.
Mobile phones wouldn't exist for a long time.
I shifted my attention to the tome in my hand, bringing it closer to inspect the black leather cover.
The first step toward escaping Jakob's fate.
Then I remembered Zofia's mission—the rat. I would need to wait for the right moment to ask the director for permission to enter the sewers.
I also needed to keep a low profile. Once I graduated—with good grades, if possible—I could disappear to some island and wait for Aeono and his group to save the world.
I needed to avoid Helal, avoid Aeono once the tutorial ended, and, above all, avoid the heroines.
Yes. This could still end well, as long as I stayed uninvolved.
Walking through the gothic castle corridors with the [Tome of Fortitude] tucked under my arm, I became sharply aware of what I was.
An anomaly.
I stopped in front of a window and let the night breeze wash over me.
The moon in this world was identical to Earth's, its glow hypnotic. It felt strange to think it wasn't the same moon I had looked at as a child.
Me, not Jakob.
Far in the distance, I could see the lights of Blackwood Town.
I let out a slow sigh.
What am I supposed to do now?
Until recently, all of this had been fiction. A game. Pixels.
And yet my jaw still ached. Zofia's beautiful eyes were burned into my mind. I gripped the window frame.
From here, if I fell…
I imagined the red stain I would leave on the ground below, then pushed the thought aside.
Instead, I found myself remembering something from my old world.
There used to be a swing in a nearby park. I would sit there and try not to think about what was happening in my life, staying for long stretches, motionless, doing nothing but thinking.
If children were playing nearby, I kept my distance.
The habit lasted until sometime after high school. Once I became independent, I never went back—not that I needed to.
As I got older, I realized everyone around me had their own way of shielding themselves from reality.
I saw people sink lower than I thought possible, then get back up and keep moving. After a life full of ups and downs, I learned not to cry over spilled milk.
But…
What happened to my life?
If I'm here, then what happened to my body? Am I some kind of copy of the original consciousness? Did I die in my old world because my soul ended up here?
I can't eat my favorite chocolate cake anymore. I can't stop by the neighborhood bar for a beer…
It's strange. A lot of people dream of this kind of scenario—an escape from reality.
No wonder stories like this have become so popular in recent years.
I was never much of a fan, to be honest.
Some people would kill for a clean restart like this.
Honestly, my old life wasn't even that bad.
I'm not prone to delusions. I know perfectly well I'm not hero material.
Or villain material, for that matter.
Maybe that's why I ended up in Jakob's body.
Even so…
…I can't visit my mother's grave anymore.
I can't keep seeing that girl at the convenience store, either. I was one purchase away from a free ice cream.
Mmm…
I still had to finish that game with the android in the leotard. And the [Kings Roads] DLC.
Damn it, I didn't even get the chance to brag about beating it.
This is a scam!
I want to speak to whoever is in charge of transmigration.
I wasn't even hit by a truck!
… Without question.
"I'm hungry."
I decided to set my problems aside for the moment. There was no point dwelling on things I couldn't change.
This castle was huge, and after my conversation with Zofia, I had ended up in some random hallway. Luckily, there were signs posted every so often.
I'd get something to eat, then go to sleep. I needed the rest.
After turning a corner, I reached the banquet hall. It was cold, and honestly, I wasn't sure whether they were still serving food.
I approached the counter, rang the bell, and waited.
Leaning against the wall, I glanced toward the back of the cafeteria. No one was there. Then I looked at the clock.
9:30 p.m.
A little late for a snack.
This reminds me of those late-night trips to the convenience store. Now that I'm here, I wonder if that girl ever put away the cigarettes.
What nonsense am I thinking about?
"Hey, kid."
That was a surprisingly cute voice. Someone tugged at my right sleeve. I looked down.
It was the dwarf from earlier, still wearing her white apron over the bikini top and shorts.
She was beautiful. Her brown skin was captivating, and her black eyes and bright smile suited her perfectly.
"Hi… um…"
Reminder: it's cold.
Those are very noticeable hardened tactical milk dispensers
Okay. Time to look at her eyes.
"The name's Aife, cutie." She winked. Thank God she hadn't caught me staring at her chest. "What can I do for you?"
I opened my mouth to answer, but my stomach got there first.
The growl it let out made me think Jakob hadn't eaten in days.
In fact, it suddenly felt as though years of hunger had caught up with me all at once.
I'll admit it: that was deeply embarrassing.
"Food," I said flatly.
She stared at me for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"Ha! And what do you want, kid?"
Her smile was contagious. I found myself smiling back.
"What do you have?"
With one quick movement, she guided me into a seat at the nearest table and shot me a conspiratorial look.
"Stay there, cutie."
She was fast. Before I knew it, there was a sandwich in front of me, along with fried chicken and a loaf of bread.
"Whoa."
Everything looked incredible.
"What do you want to drink, sweetie?"
She asked the question when I was already halfway through the sandwich. I swallowed and caught the amused look on her face.
"What do you have?"
This tastes amazing.
A soda would be perfect right now.
Wait… do carbonated drinks even exist in this world?
"There's milk and hot chocolate."
There was something in Aife's smile, something in the way she said it, but I was too hungry to care.
"Milk," I said between bites.
Aife let out a giggle, and for some reason I felt slightly endangered.
"Okay. Wait here."
She moved fast. In the meantime, I tore into the chicken and immediately felt like I had never eaten anything this good in my life. If all the food in this world was this good, I might be willing to overlook the Lovecraftian horrors and the possible apocalypse.
That's not a bad goal.
I have three years at this academy before everything goes to hell.
I could spend them trying food from everywhere.
Interdimensional culinary tourism.
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea," I muttered between bites. It honestly felt like I hadn't eaten in years.
"You've got quite an appetite, cutie," Aife whispered into my ear.
I didn't bother pausing. The stomach demands; the stomach receives.
A large jug of milk appeared in front of me. I picked it up and took a long drink.
Interesting taste.
Strong. Rich. Nutritious.
"Thanks. It's really good."
She stepped away from my side and sat down across from me, wearing a smile that was just a little too devilish. "I'm glad to hear that."
I wasn't especially interested in why she was smiling like that, but I still searched through Jakob's memories for anything about her.
Hmm…
Well, apparently Jakob had been a xenophobe.
What an idiot.
I set my food aside for a moment and focused on Aife's eyes.
"Thank you," I said sincerely.
I'm fairly sure that expression was mine, not Jakob's.
"…"
Aife looked surprised, then glanced away. She was kind of cute.
"You're welcome," she said, fidgeting with her apron.
That was when I noticed the fabric across her chest was slightly damp.
… I stared at the milk with absolute focus.
I screamed internally.
What is wrong with this world and its obsession with consuming bodily fluids?
I curse you, eroge world.
I quickly finished the rest of the food, pushed back my chair, and stood.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nope. Nothing at all. See you tomorrow. I need to sleep early."
And then I ran.
I used Jakob's memories, plus my desperate need for rest, to fuel a sprint toward his room.
Good thing there weren't many students around yet—I couldn't have pulled that off if a prefect had seen me.
On the way, I noticed a girl in glasses and a red hood trying to lift a large suitcase.
She was carrying several overstuffed backpacks, all of them close to bursting. There was something familiar about her, and my instincts immediately told me that—
"Ow."
The small sound she made was strangely cute. Burdened by all that luggage, she seemed unable to bend down far enough to retrieve the suitcase properly.
Before I could stop myself, I stepped closer.
"Hey."
I reached out and touched her shoulder carefully.
"Eek!"
She let out a tiny scream, lost her balance, and tried to recover by flailing her arms and legs.
It did not work.
She landed right on her backside.
I sighed inwardly. I really should have expected this.
I need to keep reminding myself that this is an eroge world.
Things that only make sense in a fanservice-heavy setting happen here like everyday accidents.
Case in point:
This girl's skirt was far too short.
I looked away immediately, fixing my eyes on the nearest wall and trying very hard not to think about the flash of white I had just seen.
"Close your legs," I said as seriously as possible.
"Epp!" the poor girl protested. "Did you see anything?"
… Be honest.
"I'm sorry," I said, offering her my hand.
She stared at me for a few seconds.
"Can I help you?"
Wait.
That short orange hair. Those apple-green eyes. That absurdly cute face…
Oh no.
"Thanks." She took my hand with a small smile.
I helped her up. I hadn't thought the motion through—we ended up much too close, her nose brushing mine.
She was stunning.
Dangerously so.
I felt the tension in my neck rise.
"You're welcome." I bent to pick up the suitcase. It actually wasn't that heavy. "Come on. I'll help you with this."
I stood up too quickly. My face ended up directly under her skirt.
I am not a hormonal teenager.
Please spare me these cheap ecchi scenarios.
I'm talking to you, universe.
"Ooh."
The expression she made was absurdly cute: one hand over her mouth, lips rounded into a small O.
And then I remembered.
I knew exactly who she was.
I'm in danger.
"I'm sorry," I said, straightening up with a deliberately blank expression and an equally flat voice.
"It's okay. It's my fault for wearing such a short skirt and standing so close."
Please do not blush and look away like that. That should be illegal.
"It's nothing. Just be more careful from now on, and try to wear the uniform properly. There are nobles here who'll notice you're a commoner."
Her mouth fell open in surprise.
"Do I really look like a commoner?"
The doubtful expression on her face was painfully cute. I kept my own expression neutral and looked over her clothes: a somewhat worn white long-sleeved shirt, a short red skirt—according to the lore, for mobility—and three oversized backpacks.
Honestly, I wasn't sure how she was carrying all that weight.
Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised.
She's a hunter, after all.
"A little," I said. "But don't worry. There are people here who won't care."
Aeono and the group he's going to build, to be precise.
"You're very kind."
This girl is far too easy prey.
"I'm glad to know there are good people in this place."
"It's basic decency. Nothing special."
Of course, once the semester truly began, even basic decency would become a rarity in this academy.
Politics are terrifying.
Besides…
A good person?
Girl, without Aeono at your side, this place would eat you alive.
I can already imagine how your story will unfold once the semester starts.
I looked at her.
Sorry, but your fate is in Aeono's hands. If things go well, you'll end up becoming the new goddess of this world.
And honestly, that wouldn't be a bad ending.
She's beloved by the fandom. People always praised her route because she's so kind and affectionate.
"Is something wrong?"
For some reason, she leaned closer. Once again, we were only centimeters apart.
"…It's nothing."
Honestly, I had not expected to run into one of the three most beloved—and heavily used—waifus this soon.
"Is this everything?"
I put a little more distance between us while keeping my face carefully neutral.
I refuse to get involved with you.
"Yes, please… could you show me the way to the director's office?"
This is the power of a waifu.
I sighed inwardly. Her eyes shone with innocence and hope. It was hard to say no to someone that cute, but I had to.
"Alright."
… in another time.
"Thanks!"
Please don't bounce like that. There are two very obvious reasons that's distracting.
"Follow me," I said, turning and starting down the corridor.
"Okay!"
You're so energetic it's hard to resist on a psychological level.
Using Jakob's memories and the directional signs, I guided her to a set of double black wooden doors carved with a lion and an angel.
I could have tried speaking to the director right then, but better not. Every extra second spent near this ray of sunshine was another second in which I risked being dragged into her social circle.
"It's here. Good luck."
I set the suitcase down in front of the door, then turned away. I could ask the director for permission now, but if I brought up my problems near her, she would definitely offer to help—and I wanted to avoid getting involved with someone so dangerously "problematic."
"Wait!"
Damn it.
"You don't need to thank me."
I didn't turn around. I was mentally exhausted, and interacting with her had not helped at all.
This was only my first day in this world, and I needed sleep.
I've worked sixteen-hour shifts and still never ended up this stressed.
Then I felt it—a firm hand, delicate and unmistakably feminine, taking mine.
My heart skipped a beat.
I turned back. Her green eyes were too much.
A lot of people could fall in love with her over something as simple as this, but for me, those eyes stirred only a faint sense of rejection.
A bad memory from my old life almost rose to the surface.
"I want to give you this."
She reached into her back pocket with her free hand and placed a round candy wrapped in yellow paper into mine.
"Wait a second."
I stared at it.
This is…
"My dad taught me how to make these candies. They're hard to make. The ingredients are honey, healing herbs, and a little Rûaj."
She spoke in a gentle, almost tender voice, but my attention was fixed entirely on the object in my hand.
Rûaj.
The liquid used in gameplay to restore health.
In the game's lore, it's called [the Essence of the Soul].
Some theories claim it's the tears of the King of Souls himself; others say it's the Creator's own blood.
In short: this candy is incredibly valuable. Practically impossible to obtain in the early game.
I looked at her, genuinely stunned. I had to force myself not to grin like a madman.
"You're incredibly kind," I said seriously, meeting her eyes.
She froze for a few seconds.
"…Ehehehe."
For some reason, she laughed as her face turned bright red.
"It's nothing."
She suddenly seemed unable to meet my gaze.
I understand.
"Thanks. I'll be going now," I said, turning to leave again.
"Wait!"
What now?
I sighed inwardly, but this time I didn't turn around.
"Sorry. I'm exhausted. We can talk later."
Of course, I had no intention of getting any more involved with her.
"What's your name?"
There was an odd note in her voice.
"Jakob Liedschlag," I answered without much interest.
"I'm Primrose Tahearth."
I know.
I nodded.
Honestly, I wish you the best.
And then, finally, I made it to Jakob's room.
I took off the uniform and went to bed. Sleep came quickly.
This was only the first day.
Tomorrow would be another headache.
I could already feel it coming.