Chapter 144
School Competition (2)
Previously, through Anella, I discovered that the trauma within my mental world was truly the trauma of the ‘real me.’
I felt the need to delve deeper into this aspect.
‘Who am I?’
It is indeed a philosophical question.
Since humans began to perceive and think about the existence of the ‘self,’ it has been a never-ending question up to now.
But no one knows the answer to it.
I, of course, do not know either.
However, I had to scrutinize this matter in more detail.
‘The real Baek Yu-seol and the Aether Baek Yu-seol.’
I, Baek Yu-seol, who lived on 21st-century Earth, played the ‘character Baek Yu-seol’ in the game ‘Aether World Online.’
A character with the same name and even a similar appearance.
Perhaps more than the uniqueness of being a ‘Blink specialist,’ it was the similarity to myself that drew me irresistibly to that character.
I played the game all night.
On my days off, I even cut back on sleeping time to practice Blink, and I enthusiastically enjoyed PVP, researching how to counter mages.
The story? Of course, I pushed through to the end. I skipped most of it, so I didn’t remember much of it…
Anyway, when the character Baek Yu-seol in the game reached the end of the story,
The real Baek Yu-seol, that is, I, fell into the game.
Is this place a game or not?
If it’s not a game, on what grounds can I confidently say so?
I don’t know.
Everything I see, hear, and feel is so vividly real that no matter how much I think, it feels like reality…
‘…Why are the events that happened in the game being manifested as my past?’
I organized my thoughts about the causal relationship of my existence on a chalkboard I had hung on the dormitory wall.
[The real Baek Yu-seol possessed the character Baek Yu-seol.]
[But for some reason… when I peek into the past of the real Baek Yu-seol, the past of the character Baek Yu-seol appears.]
[Am I the real Baek Yu-seol?]
[Or am I the character Baek Yu-seol?]
The memories of reality are intact.
But, occasionally…
T his wa s c o pied f r o m k i ngm t l. or g
The old memories of the character Baek Yu-seol rise subtly to the surface.
For instance, when encountering someone from the past like Eltemon Eltrine, who the character Baek Yu-seol had once met, or…
When the experiences of the character Baek Yu-seol overlap with mine, it is proof that somewhere in my subconscious, the past memories still linger.
[Have the two Baek Yu-seols merged?]
For now, this hypothesis seems the most plausible.
The consciousness of the character Baek Yu-seol has fallen asleep somewhere, and the consciousness of the real Baek Yu-seol has overlaid it.
Thus, the memories of reality are intact, but the memories from the character’s time are incomplete.
From there, we return to the initial question.
Thi s w a s c o p i e d fr o m k i n g m t l.o r g
[Is this place really a game?]
If this world were truly a game… the character Baek Yu-seol should not have any ‘memories.’
As data made up of 0s and 1s, a character moved solely by the keyboard and mouse I controlled should not possess memories.
But undoubtedly, the memories of the character Baek Yu-seol lie dormant somewhere in my head.
Even before I possessed it, even before I played the game… the ‘character Baek Yu-seol’ was moving on its own.
Therefore.
I concluded decisively.
[This place is not a game.]
This place was not a game, but I enjoyed it as if it were a game.
A being that creates a reality like a game and runs simulations.
T h i s w a s co pi e d f r o m k in gm t l. o r g
[Constellatio Project]
T h i s w as co p ie d f ro m k i n g mtl .o r g
The company that produced Aether World Online and the one that gives me rewards whenever I complete an ‘episode’ here is the one that sent me here.
The Constellatio Project made me possess the character Baek Yu-seol because I was the one closest to the ‘true ending.’
The world will end in the future.
I knew that fact from the beginning and have been moving to prevent it.
Then…
Was the ‘character Baek Yu-seol’ I played in ‘Aether World Online’ truly just data?
Or.
Was the character I played also a living, breathing person?
“Sigh…”
It’s been a question I couldn’t resolve for days.
I thought what happened in the game was just in the game.
But the past in the game turned out to be the past in reality.
Those countless failures, challenges, and deaths. And even the black dragon at the end of the world.
If all of that were real…
‘How many times have I… or rather, how many times have I killed Baek Yu-seol?’
Suddenly, I looked at the mirror hanging on my dormitory wall and saw deep dark circles under my eyes.
This question keeps returning without an answer.
And there is no one to ask for answers.
“Hey. If you’re listening, answer me. You spoke to me just fine at the end of the episode.”
Silent.
Is it just a system… or does it not engage in conversation unless necessary? It’s frustrating not to get any answers.
In the end, I put down my pen.
It was pointless to keep pondering. Knowing I couldn’t find the answer myself, holding on to it was just a waste of time.
Someday.
In the distant future.
The day will come when I learn the truth about this world.
“By then… will you tell me?”
[……]
There was no answer this time either.
But somehow, even without an answer, I felt affirmed.
Well… maybe it’s just my imagination.
* * *
Anella was quite a useful and capable bread shuttle… no, subordinate.
“Recently, you said the Moonshadow Church seems to be paying attention to Ma Yuseong, right?”
“Yes.”
T hi s w as c o pi e d from k i ng mt l. o r g
Lunchtime, in the cafeteria.
Originally, exchange students and Stella students were supposed to dine in separate cafeterias, but I deliberately came to the exchange students’ cafeteria.
This was the only place where I could talk to Anella privately. Meeting her in private was a bit too much.
“But… how long are you going to eat like that?”
Watching Anella nibble on about three times the amount of food a normal adult would consume made me more uncomfortable.
“I-I’ll eat my best!”
At my words, Anella started shoveling food into her mouth with a ladle.
I worried she might choke, but then I remembered she was a Dark Mage, so it was unlikely.
“Well, it’s understandable the Moonshadow Church is concerned about Ma Yuseong… but why did Blackkingdon order you to exclude me?”
Thanks to the ‘Mute’ item I got from Alterisha, there was no worry about our conversation leaking, so I asked comfortably, and Anella hesitated before answering.
T h is w a s co p ie d f rom k i ng m tl . o rg
“That… Even if I want to tell you, I don’t know. Most sensitive information is kept confidential to prevent leaks during missions…”
“Right. I wouldn’t tell someone like you either.”
“That’s too harsh…”
She glanced around nervously and then cautiously asked.
“But… Yu-seol, you seem like an ordinary student, so how do you know so much about our internal affairs…?”
She might be trying to subtly gather information, but Anella didn’t seem that smart. And of course, I had no intentions of telling her.
“Do I have to tell you that too?”
“No, I’m sorry!”
“Just eat.”
Unfortunately, Anella didn’t know much about the internal affairs. And I couldn’t exactly send her to gather more information.
While she might be subservient here, once she returned to Blackkingdon, the chances of betrayal were high.
‘I need something to keep Anella bound to me…’
In the original game, Flame captured Anella’s heart with a single moving statement, turning her completely to their side…
I don’t know the details.
T hi s was c o p ie d f rom k i ngm t l . o r g
This is my first time seeing Anella.
T h is w a s c o p ie d f r o m king mtl . o r g
I wasn’t particularly eloquent, so I couldn’t capture her heart with words. The only option left was ‘trade.’
A deal that would make her have no choice but to look at me.
“Anella. You said your dark mana is completely sealed, right?”
“Yes…”
If she returned without successfully completing her mission, the seal on her dark mana might never be lifted.
But that’s only a possibility.
She couldn’t bet on something uncertain.
‘Anella’s past.’
I carefully examined my Bulbul Glasses. There wasn’t much record about her. I wasn’t diligent enough to record every extra NPC.
However…
Th i s wa s cop i ed fr o m k i ng m t l . or g
[Wants to become human again]
Though not diligent, I had a habit of noting the most critical elements.
“Anella. How about I make you a good offer?”
“…Yes?”
This would be a perfect bait to keep her firmly bound.
* * *
Scalven Club Room.
Under the glittering chandelier, Jeremie slowly read through a report with his shining golden eyes.
[Scalven Club Participant List]
[2nd Year…]
[3rd Year…]
Most of the nobles of the Scalven Empire were part of this club, so many participants in the school competition came from here.
It was such a significant achievement that if even one person from the club participated in the school competition, they would throw a celebration party. But it seemed expecting that from the Scalven Club was too much.
Jeremie glanced through the participant list with indifferent eyes. The club members wondered why he suddenly took an interest.
“Participants.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
His smiling face radiated a golden glow.
Truly, his appearance was divine.
“There is… a rather unique participant in this Magic Survival. You know who?”
“…Yes, we know.”
First-year S-class, Baek Yu-seol.
T h i s wa s c opi e d f r om k i n gm t l .or g
An arrogant junior who recorded a high win rate against seniors and boldly earned a spot in the school competition.
Considering the school competition featured elite students from prestigious schools worldwide, most of whom were at least 18 years old, Baek Yu-seol was an unusual case.
For Stella Academy, it could be a source of pride, but for seniors, it was just annoying.
“Can I ask you for a favor?”
“Just say the word, Crown Prince.”
“Eliminate Baek Yu-seol.”
The anticipated request came out.
Everyone in the academy knew Jeremie disliked Baek Yu-seol.
The commoner who had snatched away his crush, Flame.
Though they had broken up, there were still rumors that Flame had feelings for Baek Yu-seol, which made Jeremie very uncomfortable.
“Will it be difficult?”
Jeremie had a reason for making such a petty request.
For the past few days, Flame had been excessively concerned about Baek Yu-seol’s participation in the Magic Survival.
She had been lurking around the class bulletin board, asking her friends about Baek Yu-seol’s participation and performance in the survival event.
That didn’t sit well with him.
“It won’t be difficult. Very easy!”
Understanding Jeremie’s feelings well, the club members responded energetically.
Magic Survival.
A game where 100 mages are dropped randomly and survive, with strict rules against cooperation, or ‘teaming.’
But…
To perfectly eliminate Baek Yu-seol with this group, teaming was essential.
‘…This year’s school competition is doomed.’
Students who had grand ambitions to make a name through victory had no choice but to swallow their tears.
But what could they do?
It was more frightening to get on the bad side of the Crown Prince of Scalven.
“Then… please do your best, everyone.”
With a warm smile, Jeremie requested, and the club members responded with determined nods.
“Yes!”
It seemed this year’s Magic Survival was not going to proceed smoothly.
End of Chapter