This place is a world within a game, yet it’s real.

It’s similar to the balance-destroyed game .

There are towers and dungeons that don’t exist in reality, as well as magic and unique abilities.

It’s a world within a game where it’s possible to overturn a city with personal might.

But at the same time, it’s also reality.

When a third-tier monster appeared in the collapsing capital of China, millions died, and that vast land was left to rot, poisoned.

If a dungeon erupts incorrectly in a city that was going about its daily life, hundreds of people can die laughably easily.

A single monster’s influence can transform an entire continent into a demonic landscape.

If I keep seeing this as just a game, I’ll eventually invite disaster upon myself.

This isn’t a place where paths are clearly defined like in a game. It’s a world where one choice can create countless possibilities.

If there are a hundred people, there are a hundred different lives.

It’s a grave misconception and impolite to think of the people here as mere NPCs.

I definitely reflected on this thought this morning.

I’m certain that holding onto this belief will lead to unfavorable outcomes for me in the future, and I’ve vowed not to make hasty judgments based on game knowledge from now on.

People are simple yet complicated… They’re entities that are hard to define.

“…Want some candy?”

A voice interrupted my thoughts from right beside me. Hong Yeon-hwa hesitated for a moment before extending her hand towards me.

There was a candy in her grip, wrapped in an impressively high-end packaging that was rare to see.

This must be an incredibly expensive candy.

[Thank you.]

I took the candy. I intended to put it in my pocket, but Hong Yeon-hwa’s gaze made my body freeze for a moment.

It was a look filled with tension… an apprehensive gaze directed at the candy I’d received.

‘Um…’

Still, it felt awkward to just shove a gift into my pocket, so I unwrapped it and popped it into my mouth. Of course, I couldn’t taste it.

As I rolled the candy in my mouth, Hong Yeon-hwa’s previously anxious face suddenly brightened. It was a dramatic change that anyone would notice.

‘…….’

The stares around us were piercing, as if they were witnessing an insurmountable miracle.

Baek Ahrin, who had turned to look this way, blinked her eyes. Her mouth hung open in a dumbfounded expression.

Could such a person really make that kind of face? It was incredibly surprising.

For a moment, Hong Yeon-hwa was the person I had the greatest prejudice against.

Unlike in the original work, I understood she wasn’t always fiery-tempered, rash, or dirty.

I realized she wasn’t someone to be feared or avoided at all costs.

I understood that she was someone who would seek forgiveness and bow her head if she made a mistake.

But still…

“Does it taste good? It’s a kind I particularly enjoy.”

[Yes. It’s delicious.]

“Really? I have quite a few stocked up. Should I send you some?”

Why she left Baek Ahrin in the front to sit next to me.

Why she keeps glancing over and flinching slightly at each of my actions.

Why she handed me candy with a nervous face, brightened when I accepted it, and then sparkled with excitement when I said it was delicious, asking if she should send more my way… I still don’t understand.

If I had socialized more, maybe I would know the reason behind Hong Yeon-hwa’s current actions.

With delayed regret, I recalled an internet friend I had somewhat kept in touch with.

Agapansus: Go outside for a change.

Me: I don’t want to.

Agapansus: What are you doing cooped up all year? Get some sunlight, some fresh air. Meet people, okay?

Me: I don’t want to.

Agapansus: Ah, you stubborn one. I’m only giving advice because I’m worried. You’re not going to live on the internet forever.

Me: I’ll think about it.

Agapansus. An internet friend I happened to converse with a bit.

Go outside, meet some people, staying cooped up all the time is why you have no social skills, if you come out I’ll buy you a meal, and so on…

They were someone who meddled here and there as if they were my guardian.

Now, that friend’s advice suddenly struck a chord.

‘I should have wandered outside a bit…’

I never knew the consequence of locking myself away, insisting I preferred being alone and comfortable, would come back to haunt me like this.

– Slide

Just then, the front door of the lecture hall opened. I already knew thanks to spatial perception.

My current spatial perception spans 100 meters in diameter and includes colors. It’s not only unobtrusive in my daily life, but it actually gives me an advantage.

I feel almost guilty for the consideration I receive for being blind and physically frail.

At this point, my visual condition is much better than that of an average person.

I might as well be a fashion-disabled person. Playing the role of someone appealing for pity, while in reality, I have better conditions than the average person…

That’s why, even though I told Hong Yeon-hwa I had no difficulties, and even though I made it clear I felt things very well, her attitude did not change.

Am I viewed by Hong Yeon-hwa as a weakling who could die at any moment?

Regardless, the attention that had been focused on me instantly shifted towards the front door.

The sound of heels clicked. With a few strides, the one who had ascended the platform was a woman with striking green eyes.

I wondered if everyone resembling a magician in this world wore robes, as this woman was also draped in a large robe.

Having taken her place in front of the lectern, she scanned the lecture hall once and then smiled broadly.

The murmurs that were present since the front door opened ceased. Her presence was extraordinary.

“Hello? I’m Velus Liana, the new professor in charge of the Basic Spirit lecture for the Ipchun class~”

Contrary to the formidable energy she emanated, her voice was cheerful as it spread throughout the lecture hall.

When the professor stated her name, the surroundings buzzed softly.

Keywords like Spirit Master, retirement, and the African demonic landscape.

I knew of her.

Velus Liana. A supporting character occasionally seen in The Tower of Growth’s demonic field, I remember her as holding a top-tier ranking from the association.

A top-tier hero like her would be world-class, capable of engaging in combat with third-tier monsters.

Considering a third-tier could obliterate a city without much effort… one could get a sense of just how monstrous her abilities were.

“I’m ranked 297th among the upper ranks! Just so you know, I’m within the top 0.1 percent!”

Not quite top-tier yet?

Well, it’s too early to venture into the African demonic landscape until at least after the second year. Two years is enough for changes.

The students’ eyes twinkled at the professor’s introduction.

Upper rank, not top-tier. But there was no lunatic who was disappointed by that.

The association, run by the masters of the space and tuning towers, classifies heroes based on their achievements, such as monster subjugation.

There are six rankings: top-tier, upper rank, upper middle rank, lower middle rank, lower rank, and lowest rank.

Among these, top-tier comprises less than 300 people worldwide, and upper rank has fewer than 30,000, if I remember the setting correctly.

Wasn’t the total number of heroes worldwide around 5 million?

Among them, she’s an upper rank hero within the top 300.

That’s more than enough qualification for a Shio-ram professor.

“Although it’s tiring to start in the morning, we still have to do what must be done, right? I’m sure everyone has seen the academic schedule announcement, but I’ll explain it to you personally as per procedure.”

The professor, who claimed to be new, skillfully led the cadets’ reactions.

“This semester is commonly referred to as ‘free semester,’ right? It’s a period where you attend various lectures regardless of your major or field.”

“I’ve seen the notice, but I still don’t quite understand.”

“That’s why I’m here to explain it to you!”

Liana responded to a male cadet’s question, who didn’t seem to understand, pointing at him as if to say he asked a good question.

“In short, a student majoring in close-quarters combat can attend magic-related lectures without any issues.”

Free semester.

It’s a term I’ve heard somewhere on Earth before.

It literally means a period when you can attend all sorts of lectures regardless of your major.

There are several reasons why the free semester was created.

For those like me who were admitted purely based on potential but have yet to narrow down their career path.

Even if you’ve decided on a career, it’s also a time to check for any undiscovered potential, and by attending various lectures, you can broaden your horizons… that was the setting.

In essence, it meant to try a little bit of everything.

For someone with the unique ability of Jack-of-all-Trades like me, it’s a welcome opportunity.

“During the free semester, there will be common lectures in the morning according to grade, followed by specialized lectures in the afternoon based on ranking.”

The professor’s explanation was exactly as per the original setting.

In the morning, there were common lectures by class, and in the afternoon, specialized lectures based on entrance exam results.

Shio-ram divides cadets into ‘basic,’ ‘proficient,’ and ‘advanced’ categories based on entrance exam scores.

The level of classes increases in order from basic, proficient, to advanced.

There’s no point in getting upset if you’re in the basic class because if you have the skills, you can climb to a higher class through testing.

And ‘basic’ doesn’t mean it’s a slapdash level. It’s basic compared to other classes, but the level of instruction is top-notch.

Special admission students start in the basic class. The same goes for students recommended based on their potential.

It wouldn’t be right to push those who haven’t properly learned anything yet into proficient or advanced classes.

“Phew… That’s it for the announcements!”

Liana, who had been explaining the lengthy academic and exam schedules, The Tower of Growth entrance periods, and the school rules that first-year students should be aware of, sighed deeply after speaking continuously for dozens of minutes.

The process was delayed further due to questions from the cadets.

“The free semester for the first year is famously grueling, isn’t it? Let’s persevere! You’ll have more free time from next semester!”

Liana quickly recovered her composure and wore a playful smile.

“Now, since it’s the first day, you all know what to do, right?”

The first day of lectures. Is it usually called orientation?

Anyway, events of this kind are all random, so it was hard to predict anything from the original work.

But I wasn’t too worried.

In the original work, it was a simple event that ended with a few lines of text.

Without relying on the original settings, there wouldn’t be anything special during the time allocated for the professor’s introduction for common or specialized lectures.

At most, they would outline the lectures they were in charge of, re-measure abilities for checking, or share stories from their active days—

“On the first day, it’s all about introductions, right? Let’s start with the cadet sitting on the right in the first row!”

‘Fuck?’

.
.
.

Introductions.

Informing newly met people about one’s name, background, and other personal details…

At first, I was taken aback. There was no event for self-introductions in the original work. Not only had I never done a self-introduction, but I certainly had never done so in front of so many people.

However, after giving it some thought, doing a self-introduction wasn’t all that strange. Actually, it might be a standard procedure.

As you know, networking is incredibly important in this industry, and making oneself known through self-introductions could be natural.

What’s certain is that I, who had remained cooped up at home, had no right to judge.

“Hayul, are you feeling unwell?”

[No, I’m fine.]

So there was nothing to fear. There was no need for my stomach to hurt. I just had to stand by the lectern and casually mention my name and characteristics.

It’s an incredibly simple task.

I reassured Hong Yeon-hwa not to worry, as she expressed concern about my pale complexion, and tuned my spatial perception.

Meanwhile, self-introductions continued.

“I’m Katsuki Yusei, majoring in combat. I have a unique ability related to swords. If you ever want to talk about martial arts, feel free to approach me.”

Katsuki Yusei, the one who had flown in during the banquet and knocked me out cold.

“I’m Elia Slade, majoring in support! Let’s get along well in the future!”

Already having made many friends, there was a particularly loud applause for Elia.

“Combat major Baek Ahrin here~ I’m currently seeking new friends in real-time!”

Baek Ahrin, who had the backing of a formidable clan, managed to draw positive responses from the cadets with her light-hearted attitude.

Everyone’s self-introductions progressed without a hitch. Although still somewhat awkward among each other, there were jokes in between, and above all, Professor Liana stepped in to create a smooth atmosphere.

Most of the cadets had finished their self-introductions.

“Combat major Hong Yeon-hwa. Let’s get along well in the future.”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been sneakily glancing this way earlier, concluded her introduction with an indifferent demeanor.

In other words, the turn had finally reached Hong Yeon-hwa, who was sitting next to me.

“Next up, cadet Lee Hayul!”

The previously soft atmosphere suddenly froze in place. Silence spread through the lecture hall, accompanied by a variety of emotions.

‘Phew…’

As I stood up, the gazes converged on me. Earlier, they pretended to hide their curiosity, but now, with a legitimate reason, they openly stared.

I walked down the aisle of the lecture hall. Professor Liana, standing on the platform, sparkled with anticipation.

Her eyes were filled with anticipation.

…I had thought there might be some meaning to the self-introductions, but now I suspected that maybe Professor Liana had her own reasons for enjoying this moment.

I took my place in front of the lectern. I could feel the eyes looking at me through my spatial perception.

“……”

Suddenly, my throat closed up.

The feeling of being stared at. I’d experienced it. While walking around the city, in the subway and bus, at the gate terminals, in the commercial district while shopping for daily necessities, and at the welcoming party.

I had been the focus of attention. The center of interest. I had received countless requests for handshakes at the welcoming party. I managed to evade invitations for drinks with excuses.

Now, there was no escape. It wasn’t even a bustling atmosphere. In the midst of a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop, I had to speak.

An unspeakable pressure weighed down on my entire body. My head was spinning.

My lips trembled.

Swallowing dryly, I opened my mouth.

“An─”

“—gle, cough! Uggh, ack…! Cough, cough…!”

“Hayul!?”

“Cough, cough…!”

Ah, fuck.

The curse of silence.