章節 2: 2. Going the cube
"Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is simply to try."
---
And here I am once again delivering my monologue.
During these two weeks of "vacation," I conducted a series of experiments with this body and carried out extensive research on mana and other subjects on the Internet.
I admit that the concept of mana, as described by Kim Hajin, is much more complex than I initially thought when reading about it online. Despite his natural ability with mana due to the Stigma, his impulsive actions, like making Rachel "burst" the butterfly powder from the bracelet, were risky and could have resulted in an accident.
Putting that aside, I dedicated part of my time to researching the new technologies in this world, which have evolved significantly compared to those in my previous world.
I also familiarized myself with everyday aspects such as the monetary system, popular tourist spots, streets, and cities. I am not yet an expert, but I have gained enough knowledge not to feel completely out of place.
Regarding physical tests, this body demonstrated physical capabilities three times greater than my previous body, except for flexibility, which seems to be a weak point.
Additionally, I discovered that the previous owner of this body had been an orphan since the age of six. The circumstances of his abandonment remain a mystery to me.
Being an orphan has its advantages and disadvantages. It is a hurdle to discovering more about myself, but it also means I have no personal ties that could distract me from my own development.
As for my newly discovered abilities, although I have learned about them, I have not yet fully mastered them. Perhaps it is because these abilities are not naturally compatible with my mind or soul.
Moreover, the observation and reading I received as an initial gift, I still cannot use normally. It is still difficult for me to use it completely. Perhaps it was just luck when I used it in the auditorium.
During these two weeks, aside from these activities, I did nothing else. Now, I am here, in front of my apartment door, reflecting on the time I spent in this small but cozy place.
"It's a bit uncomfortable to leave. This place was quiet and provided space for my experiments, as well as books I didn't have in my previous world. But it's time to move on. It was nice while it lasted."
These words came out more like a mantra, an attempt at self-convincing. Psychologically, saying goodbye is not just a physical act but a mental process of detachment and acceptance of the new. It is the mind saying farewell to the old to make way for the new.
I quietly said goodbye to my apartment, handing the key to the receptionist assigned by the Cube, as I left the building and felt the gentle morning breeze envelop me.
Breathing in the fresh city air and feeling the comforting warmth of the sun on my face, I set the map on my phone to guide me to the Cube.
After some time walking and occasionally asking for directions and receiving curious glances, I arrived at the Cube, a vast island with more than 16 km². I looked around furtively, observing the students and staff.
"This feeling... is strange. I am excited to see the characters from the Web Novel that I like, but I also fear the changes that might happen. Even though I have researched and conducted tests, I don't know if I will be able to do anything. I'm not particularly a genius. All I can do is hope for some insight and trust in my future knowledge."
There's a lump in my throat and my hands tremble slightly. "What if I can't do it? What if I'm not good enough?" These questions torment me, feeding an insecurity that threatens to paralyze me.
Emerging from my thoughts and future concerns, I found myself in front of the classroom door.
[Novice - Veritas]
The start of a journey, where the line between survival and perishing is thin. Where action and inaction coexist in a delicate balance. This is the most dangerous place for me, where fate and will meet.
Catching my breath, I looked at my watch to check the time. It was 7:40. I arrived quite early; the class starts at 8:30. The bus is indeed useful. If I had come by another means, I would probably have arrived only by 8:15.
"Time to go in, maybe this is my beginning or maybe it's my end."
Opening the door with a bit more determination, I saw that the room resembled a classroom from the anime Naruto, but more modern, with three long tables arranged in a cascading pattern. There was only one student in the room, a female student, to be exact.
A young woman with long green hair, of average height, with an appearance I would consider above average. She was sitting at the table near the wall on the left, in the middle row.
She gave a calm nod as a greeting, and she did the same, though nervously. I noticed she had slight dark circles under her eyes, perhaps from not sleeping well due to nervousness.
I decided to stop paying attention to her and chose to sit at the middle table, in the chair furthest to the left, for easier exit.
I lay on the table using my arms for support to pass the time, leaving a gap between my arms to keep an eye on the door.
Soon after, two important figures for the story entered: Shin Jonghak and Yoo Yeonha. They glanced at the room for less than a second before ignoring us and choosing to sit at one of the front tables on the far right.
Yoo Yeonha gave a brief greeting to the girl, who responded timidly, and then started talking with Shin Jonghak, who just listened, responding with brief and indifferent replies.
I closed my eyes for a few seconds, and when I reopened them, I realized the room was completely full. I'm not sure exactly when I fell asleep, but I woke up just before the professor arrived.
A bit disoriented, I checked the time; it was 8:27. "Three minutes left, let's see if he's arrived."
Feeling slightly anxious, I looked around, seeing familiar faces but not finding the one I was looking for. "Where are you, Kim Hajin?" I murmured in Portuguese, not intending to be heard.
With my anxiety rising gradually, I only snapped out of this trance when the professor arrived, opening the door and shouting: "NOW!"
The room fell silent instantly, everyone turning their attention to him. I did the same, although my face was resting in the palm of my hand out of habit.
"Today is the first day, so there won't be any special training, but I hope you all trained this morning. Training is never wrong, especially in the morning when mana density is high."
I also conducted tests related to this, experimenting with training at different times. I found that morning training is more efficient for the body, although nighttime training causes less fatigue. I researched this during the last two weeks of my free time.
***
We see a person with a question mark instead of their face, looking at their phone screen while reading an article.
"I see. This increased efficiency is because, in the early hours of the morning, mana reaches a state of flow conducive to activation and physical strengthening, resulting in greater receptivity to magical power during morning training. This is known as the Mana Circadian Cycle."
'Chisato' was reading an explanatory article about the best time to train.
***
Putting my memories aside, I focused back on the professor.
"Now, let's start with the introductions. I am Kim Soohyuk, the instructor in charge of all of you for the year."
"Rank Points: 3850. Worldwide Rank: 9737. According to the Association's ranking, I would be classified as high intermediate, level 5."
Almost all the students' eyes lit up, except for Shin Jonghak, myself, and Yoo Yeonha. The reaction from the other students was understandable. There are about two million heroes in the world. Rank 9737 meant he was quite skilled.
"I think that's enough for now," Kim Soohyuk said, appearing pleased with the students' reaction, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile.
"The first day will be special. You might not have slept due to excitement and worry, or maybe you're feeling good because you can improve yourself even more. Heh, maybe you're happy to see your passions again."
The cadets started laughing. But the instructor's expression turned severely serious.
"But the Cube is not the same as before. I promise you there will be no time for relationships. At the Cube, you will experience various real combat situations. Are you eager to see how terrifying the real world is?"
His mischievous smile sent a shiver down some spines, including mine.
"Next, the Cube Academy is very objective. The only indicator of your success will be your score. The Guilds only look at your score. Thus, we will evaluate you with precision and rigor. If you perform poorly, you will repeat the semester. Statistically, less than half of the Cube cadets graduate without repeating a semester. Even so, you can only repeat 4 semesters. More than that, and you will be expelled. If you can't become a hero, you'll become an agent or a mercenary. I understand that's not what you want..."
After frightening the students, the instructor paused and scanned the students' faces.
"I can already see some faces I recognize."
It was the same for me. Even though one of them isn't here.
Kim Suho, Shin Jonghak, Yoo Yeonha, Chae Nayun, Rachel, Yi Yeonghan.
These six were the important characters I could see at first glance. Shin Jonghak sat with Yoo Yeonha. Since Kim Suho and Chae Nayun saw each other as rivals, they kept their distance. Princess Rachel sat alone, exuding an air of elegance, and Yi Yeonghan sat behind Kim Suho.
"I repeat. At the Cube, you will need to confirm what you have learned so far and refine your skills for use in battles. There will be no gentle training here. Remember that."
With that, Kim Soohyuk announced.
"Now get ready. Today's activity won't take long. The first task is 'main weapon selection.'"
"Any weapon you can imagine should be here."
One problem is that I don't know what weapon this body normally used, but I already have one in mind to pick.
Following the professor's orders, everyone exited the room in an organized manner to follow him to another room.
"Stand in front of the weapon you want. We will provide you with training weapons. But don't underestimate them just because of that. Their market prices are 5 million won each."
There were all kinds of weapons, more than I could imagine: swords, spears, sabers, daggers, halberds, greatswords, zweihanders, bows, firearms, whips, gauntlets, etc. The 100 students in the Veritas class were in front of the weapon they desired.
"Choose carefully. After you choose your main weapon, you won't be able to change it for at least 6 months."
Several other cadets positioned themselves in front of their chosen weapons, but I remained standing, waiting for something to happen.
But...
"Nariyuki Chisato, why are you standing there?"
It didn't happen. Kim Hajin, the protagonist and main character alongside Kim Suho, didn't show up.
"Cadet Chisato!"
"Damn it."
I exclaimed in Portuguese, but no one understood.
Sighing, I walked decisively to the weapon that no one seemed to have chosen: a pistol.
"Nariyuki Chisato."
The instructor's voice dropped, and the gazes of the other students fell on me. Shin Jonghak and Kim Suho were among them.
I didn't like being the center of attention without reason, but I didn't think about it at that moment. Slowly, I took the pistol into my hands and began to analyze it.
I felt the weight of the metal in my hand, the cold of the metallic surface providing a comforting sensation while the faint smell of rust tickled my nose.
"... Cadet."
Kim Soohyuk drew my attention again before activating his smartwatch. For some reason, I could also see the information hidden by the information protection system.
It was information about me.
"Don't you use daggers?"
A somewhat rare weapon for an extra. But it suits me.
"I decided to change my weapon."
"After arriving at the Cube?"
"Yes."
Kim Soohyuk didn't seem pleased with my choice or tone, but he nodded with a slight frown.
"That's fine. Cadets can make their own choices at the Cube. The instructors won't interfere in any way. But this also means the responsibility falls on the cadets."
Kim Soohyuk moved on, but the whispers among the students didn't stop. Whispers that should have been too quiet for me to hear, but because of this ability, I could hear them clearly. It seemed this was an ability given to transmigrants by the co-author for this world, useful in its own way.
"A firearm?"
"This guy is crazy?"
"Why did he come to the Cube if he wants to be a mercenary?"
Before entering the Cube, cadets tested various weapons to find one suited to their abilities. But a firearm didn't require special skills, just the ability to aim and shoot.
"You can easily change the main weapon you chose today. And regardless of what you choose, you will undergo the same training and tests. This means that the weaknesses of a weapon will be your problem."
Kim Soohyuk announced while looking at me.
Understood, understood. With Kim Hajin not here, I couldn't afford to choose another weapon. If I had this body's memories, I would have chosen daggers, a weapon I could quickly adapt to.
But I don't have them. I don't know how to use mana and didn't have its memories.
In the end, I could only choose a ranged weapon, so a bow or a firearm. I could learn to use a firearm faster than a bow; I literally just need to aim and pull the trigger, nothing more. Plus, I have some experience with them.
"Well, I don't plan to use only the revolver in the future," I thought.
"Now, we'll assign your rooms and your personal belongings will be sent there. After that, you're free. Classes will start in four days, next Monday."
Kim Soohyuk said while looking at me with pity. That look made me a bit angry. But it dissipated quickly.
And so, the main weapon selection ended.
"Yo, seriously, you chose a weapon?"
"I just don't get it. Are you one of those who seeks attention? This is the first time I've heard of someone choosing a weapon at the Cube."
On the way to the dormitory, a group of guys started a conversation.
"It's likely to be the last time someone does that. There must be some hidden trick, right?"
I responded with deliberate calm, ignoring the provocative comments that made me feel like I was in a low-budget horror movie.
Seeing that my indifference was starting to annoy them more than entertain them, the group left, laughing as if they'd heard the best joke in the world. Teenagers being teenagers, always more interested in causing a stir than in actual facts. Even I, as a teenager, didn't escape this pattern.
As the group moved away, I glanced at the girls nearby. Chae Nayun, Rachel, and Yoo Yeonha were there, their beauty looking straight out of a fairy tale with a photo editor's special touch.
As I glanced sideways at them, one of them looked at me.
"Rachel..."
Our gazes met for a moment; I gave her a slight smile and quickly looked forward. I believe she was curious about the cadet who chose the weapon.
"Here are the freshmen's dormitories."
Six extravagant skyscrapers stood before me.
According to Kim Soohyuk, each building had 100 floors, each with 5 rooms.
Rooms were allocated based on grades, but even with lower grades, each cadet would still have their own room. The top three male and female cadets from the Agent Academy got the penthouses. Kim Suho was the only one who refused, saying it was too big for him. As expected from the humble gentleman.
"Boys are assigned to the rooms on the right, and girls to the left. The key to your room will be stored in the smartwatches you'll receive now."
As Kim Soohyuk explained, first-year students from other classes arrived. If I remember correctly, the first-year classes were divided into: Veritas, Acceptance, Intelligence, Wisdom, Cultivation, Honor, Virtue, Friendship, Potential, and World. A total of 10 classes.
"Chisato, Nariyuki Chisato!"
"Me?"
Kim Soohyuk was calling me. I was momentarily distracted, but his eyes narrowed like a hawk's. On the outside, I remained calm, but inside, I felt fear. It seems that in this world, a simple look can be more intimidating than it appears. Curious about my reaction, Kim Soohyuk closed his eyes and sighed.
"... Your smartwatch, come get it."
"Oh, yes."
I walked up to him with slightly weak legs.
---
Opening the door to my room.
The room assigned to me was larger than I expected. The bed seemed comfortable, and the view from the window was impressive, revealing the vastness of the Cube campus. However, something inside me didn't fit. The familiarity of the old apartment seemed to call me.
I felt a pang in my chest as I walked. The loneliness and abrupt change began to manifest. The room, as luxurious as it was, lacked the marks of my old home.
Change always comes with a dose of anxiety. The human mind tends to cling to the familiar, even when the unknown promises to be better. My old apartment, with all its imperfections, was a place where I felt safe. Here, every corner seemed strange.
The memory of my old home brought a wave of nostalgia. In psychology, this feeling is often associated with the concept of "locus of control." I felt in control of my previous environment, but here, the feeling was one of uncertainty and vulnerability. It was a reminder that, no matter how much we prepare for the future, our roots always pull us back.
"I still can't get used to this, but I'll adjust quickly."
I sat on the comfortable sofa, took the pistol, and examined it.
It was lighter than I expected.
I never thought in my life I would hold a firearm.
I spoke with enthusiasm in my voice: "I want to test it as soon as possible, but I need to wait for something and hope it arrives soon."
Thinking about it, what I'm doing is a total gamble, betting my life. May some god bless me.
Now, the reason I was brought to this world, I have no idea beyond the co-author's conception and possible divine error.
Putting that thought aside, I decided to get up from the sofa and position myself to hold the weapon.
I felt its weight, its temperature, the environment, my breath, my body.
"Yes, I'll adapt to this quickly."
-Ding dong
The doorbell rang.
An electronic voice echoed from the other side of the door.
- Rank 934, Nari. yuki. Chi. Sato. Retrieve. Your. Luggage.
It was a robot. Throwing the weapon onto the sofa, I opened the door and saw four rather large boxes on the floor.
"Good thing Chisato sent his belongings in advance," I murmured as I thanked the robot, took the boxes, and carried them inside.
[Agent Military Academy Rank: 1543, Hero Military Academy Rank: 934, Nariyuki Chisato. Personal belongings.]
Rank 934, as expected. I really took Kim Hajin's place in this world. Did he stay in his normal world?
With a muddled thought and a slightly trembling hand, I began to tear the tape from the first box. My heart raced when I saw it was filled with books.
"Not it."
The second box. More books.
"Not this either."
Anxiety enveloped me like a dense fog. When I finally opened the third box, more books. The sound of the wrapping paper tearing was like a muffled scream, only increasing my restlessness.
"More... books."
The fourth box. Suspense and nervousness built with every passing second.
With a trembling sigh and a silent prayer, I said, "May the King of Black and Yellow grant me luck."
With a quick motion, I tore the tape and opened the box. Inside, among the books, something small was wrapped in bubble wrap. The tension was almost unbearable as I unwrapped it.
I found my cellphone. My cellphone from the old world.
"Jackpot."
每周推薦票狀態
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