“Today’s class will end here.”
The professor’s words, as she organized the materials she had brought, caused the students to break into silent cheers.
Professor Violet, who always took up the entire class time and then some, ended the lesson early today!
Even the model students sitting in the front row were clenching their fists behind their desks, visibly pleased.
“Ah, I almost forgot. There’s a special assignment today.”
Of course, her next words immediately caused the atmosphere in the classroom to fall into a gloomy silence.
“You all must have heard of it. By now, it’s probably been mentioned everywhere, the [Akashic Archive].”
The Akashic Archive? My game?
I straightened up, caught off guard by an unexpected word.
Other students who had been sighing also brightened up at the mention.
“To be honest, I hadn’t planned on discussing it in class until a bit more research in the academic field was done... but I don’t think I can delay it any further.”
As the professor gestured, a screen appeared in midair, formed from magic.
...Wait, Professor? Didn’t you just say class was over?
“Recently, you must have noticed that society across the continent is changing rapidly. Some have even said that the changes in the past two months have been greater than the changes over the last decade. Crime rates have decreased by around 50% compared to last year, and donations and voluntary volunteer work have increased several times over. Not only that, but leaders and politicians from all sectors of society have also shown a marked difference. Crown Prince Raizeol Stern of the Empire has actively worked on improving research and development environments and establishing ethical awareness. He also enacted the ‘Dallang-Versia Law,’ declaring his intent to root out all dangers like human trafficking and abduction, creating a safer Empire. Elven consul Perel has declared the ‘Species Harmony Summit’ in Gaizerus’s name.”
...?
Has that been happening?
I’ve been so busy meeting with the constellations and keeping up with the community trends to make the Twelve Gods story that I haven’t been aware of anything happening outside.
To think that laws or national holidays bearing the names of characters from my game are being created. It’s a strange feeling.
“The Beast Queen Nuar also gave a national speech, presenting the relics of the beastkin that McGuy Zaborg saved and declaring that we must not forget his will. Other leaders have also made remarks, praising and honoring the heroes from the [Akashic Archive]. While these constellations are indeed divine figures, and while they were not highly regarded before or were only worshipped by certain races, the fact that the leaders are paying such attention shows just how powerful the [Akashic Archive] has become.”
Our game really is doing well lately.
I wondered if I might have gone overboard with the MSG, but it was necessary for the players’ enjoyment.
If it’s fun, it’s all the better.
“Recently, there has been a particular focus on the inner, smaller constellations. Many who have played [Akashic Archive] report hearing the voices of the constellations within themselves. Just two days ago, influencer Legatia confirmed this fact, causing quite a stir.”
Inner small constellations, huh...
I’ve seen many customers in the community talk about this.
They play [Akashic Archive], and then after they finish, they hear the voices of the heroes inside them.
At first, I thought our customers were just over-immersing themselves, but when I asked the constellations, they said that they respond to almost everyone.
From the constellations’ perspective, they’re not apostles, but these people are so full of faith and divine power that the constellations treat them like they’re on that level. How could they not answer?
Thanks to that, sales of the [Great Chieftain] character skyrocketed.
“I too... Well, we’ll talk about that later. In any case, after playing the game, people report hearing the voices of the constellations. And the messages are always positive, encouraging the individuals and helping them move forward. If the messages of the original constellations were akin to divine prophecies, these are more like messages from a friend who is a god.”
I wondered if the idea of gods being so casually talked about wasn’t too trivial... but well, they are gods, so I guess they handle those things themselves.
At this point, there have been four gods revealed in the Twelve Gods story, including [Great Chieftain] and [Lightning King].
Since all four of them are such great figures that they’ve reached the rank of constellations, many players who’ve seen their stories seem to feel empowered.
For me, I mainly created the stories for a dopamine rush, but if players are taking them this way, I couldn’t be happier.
“In the next class, we’ll cover the content related to this. Your assignment will be to give a presentation on what Dreamstory, the company behind the [Akashic Archive], wants and what they are aiming for with these actions.”
...What?
A presentation on that?
“Even though they’ve caused such a stir, their identity remains hidden, and they are supported by countless constellations. This transnational company has the attention of the entire continent, but no information is being revealed. Such an organization surely must have a goal. I want you to research and find out what Dreamstory might be aiming for with these actions.”
...Looks like I’m about to find out my own hidden goal.
***
After the professor finished her class, pretending to end it early while stretching the break time to the fullest, I packed my things and headed for the door.
...Wait, didn’t she say I’d be presenting next time?
To think they’re discussing my game in an academy class.
Does this mean I can proudly say our game has succeeded?
But still, talking about Dreamstory, the transnational company’s goals?
It’s not some mega-corp, it’s just a one-man operation!
...Well, actually, since I hired a Demon King intern, I guess it’s a two-person company now.
Goals, huh?
When I first created the game, the goal was simple: make money.
My constellation had only one believer—me, a poor orphaned academy student with nothing to my name.
So, the only thing I could think of was creating something to survive, and that’s how Akashic Archive came to be.
After the game succeeded... well, yeah.
I learned about sin, the abyss, and existence, and that became my goal.
The abyss that tried to kill me, now a weekly boss.
I’ve been expanding the game to increase my chances of having more allies in case those Abyssal creatures decide to show up.
The Twelve Gods project, started because of [Lady of the Night], was all about gaining as many constellations as possible as allies.
...Now that I think about it, from the leaders' perspective, this is almost like cosmic horror.
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For a constellation to affect the mortal realm, they must expend a huge amount of divine power, and yet, none of them are doing anything openly—except for having so many gods secretly backing a company. That’s kind of terrifying.
Moreover, it’s a phantom company that doesn’t actually exist, so no matter how much you investigate, you can’t uncover anything.
...So, what am I supposed to present?
I can’t exactly tell the truth.
Should I ask Wisdom to prepare the presentation for me?
...No, wait.
She’s been wanting me to use a wish lately, and I’ve been avoiding it. I’m not about to walk into the tiger’s mouth willingly.
I never imagined she’d try something like that with a wish.
A shiver ran through me as the memory resurfaced.
Then,
“Rian!”
A clear voice called out to me.
Turning around, I saw a student with a slim, handsome face from the academy, waving at me with a bright smile.
“Seamin.”
He was a student I’d gotten to know through a group project in Professor Violet’s class.
He was a first-year student like me, a human and commoner, so it was easy to become friends.
...In the celestial realm, I do have some connections, or rather, divine connections, but in this academy, aside from Pater, I don’t have many.
And Pater is a servant of Wisdom, so... it’s not exactly easy to get close to him.
That’s why Seamin was a valuable connection for someone like me, practically an outcast.
“Do you want to work on the assignment together?”
“...Do you want to work on the assignment together?”
“Yeah! I just asked the professor. They said we can do it together!”
Working on the assignment together, huh...
That sounds good.
“I’ll do it with you! Okay? Let’s do it together~.”
It’s hard to properly reference external perspectives by myself.
But if I do it with Seamin, who’s practically in the same situation as me, we can present the assignment without feeling out of place.
There was no reason to refuse.
“Okay, let’s do it together.”
“Really? Wow!”
Seamin was so happy that he almost jumped up.
Is it really that great?
I felt good too.
Sure, the constellations I work with in the celestial realm are nice, but they feel so distant and noble.
What I need right now is a friend who’s a mortal, someone more like me.
I guess humans are good at finding happiness in realistic and simple things.
In the realm of [Wisdom],
The goddess, who had been watching the mortal world, ground her teeth together with a sharp, grating sound.
“This girl...!”
She had carefully manipulated the academy professor to create an opportunity like this.
If the prince saw this assignment, he’d have no choice but to come see her.
She had even planned to make up for her earlier mistake, caused by the rushed wish.
But then,
But then...!
How dare she...!
[Lady of the Night]...
She would never forget this humiliation.