Side Character Who Became the Pseudo-Protagonist

Chapter 10: A Seat Beside the Heroines

"Archive."

[Archive Activated:]

[Balance: 10 Correction Credits]

[Available Purchases:]

[Impact Step] — 3 CC

[Guard Shell] — 4 CC

’Hmm...did I somehow get some more credits? Was it my reward for completing the prologue? I had one left so it gave me nine more?’

’Still...nothing new got added. Shame.’

The reason why I decided to check my Archive, was simply because of how long the public evaluation lines were.

I had been standing here for about thirty minutes already, and I still hadn’t reached the entrance yet.

Though it was understandable, after all, public evaluations were the one day that Asgard Academy held evaluations for free, no strings attached.

Parents who believed their kid had even a hint of a Logos Cortex, sent their kid to go take the test, believing that they’ll make it big in the future.

Though there were various other Operator Academies within the country of Ygg, none were as prestigious as Asgard.

Given the low number of Operators who actually became teachers instead of joining the military, becoming a researcher, or going straight to Gate work.

It was unavoidable that the screening process is harsh.

The line was filled with prospective students whose hearts were filled with anticipation and nervousness, along with their equally anxious parents, numbered at least a thousand. Maybe even more.

Well, I wasn’t too worried about the test itself.

Even if Nolan was recognized as "talentless" by the Midgards, my base was still way better than most of the people here.

Speaking of which, I had considered the fact myself. Why is it that he’s considered "talentless" even though he has an EX-Rank in Storage?

Was it because society valued Projection more? Or was it because...he’s missing the Innate Spell of the Midgards — [World Frame].

I had noticed it when Nathan Midgard was introduced as a character later in the game.

Using said Spell, he was able to clear an entire Class-A Gate all by himself with no other assistance.

Similarly, Nora Midgard, the Midgard heir, used the same Innate Spell to become the student council president of Asgard Academy.

Still, having an EX-Rank in practically anything can’t be that bad...right?

"Hey...are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry."

I hadn’t realized that I had made my way to the front of the line already. The girl at the counter frowned, seeing me space out.

"Name?"

"Nolan Midgard."

"...!"

"Right...here’s your number. Pl—please proceed to the auditorium in order to be further processed."

Ahh, not this again. I’m not that scary, am I?

I took the ticket she gave me gingerly before walking through the academy gates. And man, it looked even bigger than it ever was in the game.

There seemed to be three central buildings, large and so domineering that one can’t help but stare at them in awe. They were then surrounded by a bunch of smaller buildings, seemingly facilities and extracurricular rooms.

The architecture was undoubtedly modern, square and efficient in design, layered with panels of reinforced glass.

But throughout it all, a dominant gold motif didn’t shy away. In fact, where a place wasn’t decorated with glass panes, it was a metallic gold that shone bright even against the sun’s light.

Just looking at it made me understand why people waited so long and gave everything they had to join.

With an Academy like this, one’s future would be secured the moment they entire. That is...if they don’t get kicked out right afterwards.

A few students were on campus, looking at the influx of would-be students with a strange expression.

Usually, students who were already enrolled would welcome prospective ones with open arms. Yet these ones seemed to shy away, not even bothering to make eye-contact.

Still, I made my way over to the auditorium regardless.

The entire area was already jam-packed, which made me wish I had woken up sooner just to get a better seat.

I just barely squeezed past a few others, trying to find a seat, but ultimately failing. However, I did manage to spot a familiar face.

Ruby Lane was sitting a bit closer to the entrance, and there seemed to be an open seat next to her. Which in hindsight, should’ve been suspicious.

Still, I thought, "Why not, right?"

Turns out...I had been completely wrong.

The moment I got to her, I could already feel the mood turn strange. She definitely saw me yet chose to avoid eye contact.

And before I could say anything, she spoke up first.

"Don’t talk to me. Please."

What?

What’s with the switch-up? Did I do something wrong? I just wanted to ask how she’s been doing after the incident...

I guess this is her "future villainess" genes kicking in.

Well, if she didn’t want to then I guess I’ll just find a different seat. Still, something about the way she said it bothered me.

After scuffling about for what seemed to be five or so minutes, I managed to find an upper row which was pretty much empty.

It was a bit further away, but I guess that’s for a reason, huh?

Just barely managing to take a seat, a voice came from above my head, causing me to turn towards it immediately.

A girl with a soft blonde bob cut and light green eyes stared at me, hand pointing to the seat on my right.

"Uhm...is this seat taken?"

I swallowed down the urge to ask the obvious. The entire row was empty, yet she chose to ask if the seat next to me was taken?

"...No, it’s not taken."

"Thank you."

She gave me a small, polite nod before sitting down beside me, folding her hands neatly over her lap.

But the problem was...I knew who she was.

Colette Astaron.

One of the game’s first heroine, and a focal point of the plot in Act One.

She was the only daughter of House Astaron, the royal family of the Astaron Kingdom, one of the few surviving countries after the First Gate Incident.

Her conflict was relatively easy to solve and she was soft-spoken and introverted, the typical damsel-in-distress plot line. That was how she gathered a large fanbase.

As they say, don’t fix what ain’t broke.

But wait...

Wasn’t this supposed to be where she met Leon?

I looked at the empty seat beside me, then at Colette Astaron, who had somehow chosen that exact spot.

Does she know who Nolan is? Well, probably not right? If she did then she would’ve introduced herself. I’m probably overthinking this.

Should I have said the seat was taken? Then it’d be way too obvious that I didn’t want her to sit next to me...

Ah...I have a bad feeling about this.

"...Aren’t you Nolan Midgard?"

Another voice snapped me out of my thoughts, this one a bit more confident-sounding and elegant.

My look had unconsciously turned to a stare as I saw the red-haired woman with equally fiery eyes, lower herself into the chair right next to Colette with ease.

"Ahh...have we met before?"

I lied, because I already knew who she was. Another heroine.

"Not yet, but pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Cecilia Solaris, daughter of General Solaris who’s under your father."

’There was a setting like that?!’

Wait...something’s wrong again.

In the game, the first time Leon meets her was when she intentionally poured water over his head. She was supposed to be the bratty, fiery noble.

So...why’s she being so nice?

Is it because...she’s talking to me, Nolan Midgard, instead of Leon Hart?

Ahhhh...

Things were already getting screwed up, weren’t they?