Chapter 1 Possession and Trial

A solemn atmosphere.

A summary trial presided over by faculty and the student council had begun.

“Jace Crodaine.”

“Your misdeeds go against the Academy’s ideals.”

“Believing in your family’s prestige, you harassed helpless female students.”

“Rather than accepting defeat, you drew your sword against an opponent who had turned their back.”

“In addition to that, you’ve caused countless other problems.”

“Now, do you acknowledge your crimes?”

“If you have any objections, we’ll give you a chance to defend yourself.”

Everyone’s gaze pierced into me.

Each one radiating intense malice.

“……”

How could I possibly defend myself in this situation?

Even from my perspective, Jace was human trash.

Everything was true, so there was no value in sympathy.

But.

I’m not Jace, am I?

I’m just an innocent young man who suddenly possessed his body…….

The timing is truly unfortunate.

To think I’d be possessed right at the very end?

It’s like someone else took the dump, but cleaning it up is my job.

Fragments of memories from my previous life flashed by.

Some accident.

Hospital.

A confined life.

Mobile games…….

It was very hazy, but.

I couldn’t dismiss it as mere delusion.

Soon, Jace’s future unfolded in my mind.

Cursing the world and joining the Demon Lord’s army.

After undergoing a corruption ritual, he would claim one of the Four Heavenly Kings’ positions.

Truly an enemy of humanity.

An absolutely unforgivable traitor.

‘That would be troublesome…….’

Of course, since the contents had changed.

It would flow in a completely different direction, but if possible, I needed to stay at the Academy.

As the continent’s finest educational institution.

It was not only safe but had plenty of room for growth.

I’d exclude the option of returning home.

The head of the Crodaine family.

In other words, this body’s father would be furious.

I’d probably be half-dead.

In the worst case, I’d be kicked out.

At best, I’d become a wandering mercenary.

In that case, it would be better to become one of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings.

“……”

I hate both options!

I’d rather roll around in the Academy even if it’s like a dung heap.

If I could somehow just graduate, I wouldn’t be kicked out of the family.

The original Jace would have been angry, but I could become as servile as needed.

‘Still, I shouldn’t appear too submissive.’

The very fact that a summary trial was being held.

Proves that this isn’t a situation that can be resolved by just bowing my head.

Then negotiation was the only option.

They must view Jace as an irredeemable scoundrel.

So I need to show that there’s a possibility of redemption.

“I acknowledge my wrongdoings.”

“……”

Reactions of bewilderment followed.

They seemed to have expected me to struggle desperately.

If I had caused a scene like a scoundrel.

They would have used that as an excuse to forcibly expel me.

I continued to speak what I had to say with apparent composure.

“However, I am the heir to the Crodaine family.”

“Going so far as to hold a trial to expel a noble student.”

“I imagine it would remain as a rather unwelcome precedent.”

“Therefore, I dare to request.”

“I would like to receive one last chance.”

“I’ll leave those criteria to you.”

Expulsion was a last resort.

Because it led to issues with students’ vested interests.

It was only because Jace was such trash that this almost forbidden process was being carried out.

“That’s not wrong……”

“It’s rather suspicious that his logic is so coherent.”

“No, for that scoundrel to come forward now……!”

“Since he said he’d leave it to us, I judge there should be no problem.”

I barely avoided expulsion, but I couldn’t escape punishment.

“Dormitory eviction. Prohibition from attending classes.”

“Manifest sword energy within one month.”

“Then we’ll withdraw the punishment.”

It was quite lenient compared to what he’d done so far.

Actually, Jace wasn’t a scoundrel but the opposite.

A rising star.

A genius who entered the Academy as valedictorian.

He had a good personality and was kind to everyone, but…….

After suffering an unexpected accident, he became unable to handle mana.

A reality he could hardly accept.

Frustrated by this, he gradually became a scoundrel.

‘In other words, the trial’s result…….’

It wasn’t lenient but rather cruel.

Even if it was a suspended sentence, they had issued a death sentence.

It was enough to make me sigh, but.

I had no choice but to be satisfied with receiving a one-month grace period.

Just as I was resolving to survive by all means.

An unexpected situation unfolded before my eyes.

[Achievement Unlocked: The Right Choice]

[Reward: Achievement Points +1,000]

Huh?

What’s this now?

Was I really trapped inside a game?

My memories were hazy, so I was uncertain, but.

The moment the system window appeared, everything became clear.

“……”

That wasn’t all.

There were even quests.

[Sub Quest]

[Physical Training: Repeat 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and 10km running daily]

Ah, I think I know what this is…….

Something’s vaguely trying to surface!

[Main Quest]

[Defeat the Demon Lord]

This hurdle is too high.

For now, I’ll just skip over it.

There were many other minor quests as well.

‘If I also achieve accomplishments while I’m at it…….’

I can see hope.

Right, there’s no law saying I have to die.

If I’ve been possessed into a scoundrel’s body, I deserve at least this much benefit.

He just couldn’t handle mana, the physical condition wasn’t too bad.

“……”

I’ve experienced rock bottom.

I’ll overcome any trial.

*****

After packing my belongings from the dormitory.

I was thrown into the forest outside the Academy.

“……”

No, isn’t this a bit harsh?

At the very least, you should let me sleep in a shed or something?

I tried to assert adolescent rights, but.

My mouth closed at one girl’s cold gaze.

“You must not leave this place for one month.”

Seria Carmel.

A member of the student council and one who participated in the trial.

And someone engaged to Jace…….

As if the body remembered, my chest suddenly grew hot.

“……”

I’d been putting it off until now, but.

The broken engagement would be decided before long.

I quietly recalled Jace’s final moments.

Later, Seria would become the Hero’s companion and.

Face off against Jace, who had become one of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings.

Having transcended human limits by accepting evil.

Jace had maintained the upper hand throughout, but suddenly his corruption was dispelled, and Seria didn’t miss that opening.

What could have been so regrettable?

The traitor to humanity lamented to his former lover before dying.

“……”

A futile ending beyond words.

Yeah.

I absolutely won’t go anywhere near the Demon Lord’s army.

I’d rather just die than have such a bad ending.

Anyway.

This body desperately longed for his fiancée.

Foolish fellow…….

Then no matter how difficult it was, he should have endured it.

Since the broken engagement was a foregone conclusion, there was no way around it.

“Members of the student council will take turns monitoring you.”

You’re going to surveil me too.

Isn’t that an invasion of privacy?

Well, it was this body’s karma, so I had no grounds to complain.

“If you have anything to say, now would be a good time.”

I plan to change fate.

I’ll also avoid the bad ending related to her.

By being different from before.

The engagement might be maintained, but our destiny didn’t seem like it would be smooth.

I gazed intently at Seria.

The hairpin Jace had given her for her birthday.

That she was still using it—what could it possibly mean?

Suddenly, my mouth moved without my knowing.

“You remain beautiful because you’re still unattainable.”

“───!!”

A flinch, then a stern expression.

Soon after, she moved away from me as if fleeing.

“……”

I just said it casually.

For some reason, I felt like I had to say that line.

From her reaction, it seemed like she’d completely shaken off any lingering attachment.

Just as I was about to soothe my aching chest.

[Achievement Unlocked: A Line That Will Go Down in History]

[Reward: Achievement Points +5,000]

A newly updated system window.

I’d already completed two in less than a day.

Hmm, is it just my imagination…….

It seems like they’re just giving them away?

If they’re offering, I’ll gratefully accept, but I’d magnificently ruined the atmosphere.

I soon shook off my thoughts.

Figuring out how to survive going forward comes first.

‘A hut….. I probably don’t need to build one.’

Whatever the outcome, I just need to endure for one month.

Just as I was about to soothe my aching chest.

I didn’t despair like someone else would.

I was still far from discussing despair.

A situation I could sufficiently overcome.

No, it was actually much better than before.

At least I could move on my own.