The Arcane Ship rumbled softly as it slowed to a stop, the magic crystals lining its hull pulsing gently as the runes disengaged. A low hiss escaped the underside of the vessel as it docked on a massive floating platform hovering just before Lumen Academy.
"Short break! We'll resume our trip in fifteen minutes!" a crew member announced.
Most of the passengers looked relieved. Some stretched their limbs, others leaned over the edge of the ship to gawk at the academy.
Seraphina and I, however, didn't stay.
As scholarship students, we were scheduled to disembark here. The rest of the passengers would be taken to their respective destinations or housing districts after this stop.
The moment I stepped off the Arcane Ship and onto the platform, a strong breeze blew through my hair. My breath caught for a second.
Lumen Academy.
It looked more like a floating fortress than a school. Floating walkways and bunches of towers shimmered under the sun. Magic wasn't just used here, it was carved into every inch of this place.
I found myself staring too long.
"...You okay?" Seraphina asked, nudging me with her elbow.
"Yeah, just... distracted," I muttered.
I shifted my gaze to her.
Seraphina Corven.
Now that I thought about it, how could I not recognize that name? The moment she introduced herself, I should have realized.
She's the main protagonist.
Not of the game I played, but of the novel adaptation.
That novel had been a huge hit back in my world. A reincarnated girl, armed with modern knowledge and genius-level talent, trying to survive and thrive in a cruel magic academy. That was Seraphina.
Which must mean, I wasn't some side character in her story. Not even a named one.
I was from the game version. The original protagonist. A blank slate meant to be controlled by the player.
I replaced the player. The protagonist of the game.
---
Seraphina and I walked together in silence, the soft click of our shoes echoing across the stone path. She had returned to reading her book, eyes scanning the pages with focused grace. I let her be. I wasn't really in the mood to talk either. Instead, I enjoyed the walk.
The scenery was something else. Students walked past us, some chatting excitedly, some practiced magic, some of them play with their spirit animals.
And yet, I realized something.
Having someone else from the modern world... It was oddly reassuring. Seraphina was a key figure. A main protagonist from the novel.
This world had two versions, the game and the novel. Each with different events, different leads.
Which meant if she replaced the novel's protagonist... Then I, somehow, took the place of the game's. A player.
We reached the exam hall shortly after. It stood like a dome. The mana running through the structure was dense.
Becoming a scholarship student at Lumen Academy wasn't easy.
You had to pass two tests.
The first was what happened on the ship. A competency test. One designed to put us under pressure and see how we handled real danger.
Still, I didn't expect the test to be held on the Arcane Ship itself. The game and novel never really explained it in detail. I thought it would just be an evaluation in some chamber.
Anyway, the second test? The Orientation Test.
Normally, it's just a formality for regular students. A way to gauge your level, let professors take notes, maybe assign mentors. But for scholarship students like us?
Fail to impress, and your scholarship gets slashed.
No pressure, right?
---
I stood near the edge of the wide exam hall.
The ceiling stretched high like a dome, refracting light through magic-imbued crystal glass. Dozens of students were already forming cliques, trying to size each other up or show off their talents.
Seraphina was beside me, nose still buried in her book.
While I was aimlessly scanning the crowd, bored, until—
Something caught my eye.
There, across the room, stood a girl. Long brown hair. Blue eyes. A sharp, calculating gaze that swept through the hall like she owned it.
I knew that face.
I'd seen it countless times. In character intros, cinematic cutscenes, game posters.
That girl... was the Player.
The actual protagonist from the game.
So I was wrong.
I didn't replace the player.
The Player was here.
Which meant—
"I'm not the protagonist," I muttered to myself.
I wasn't even second place.
I was just... an extra.
An extra surrounded by two main characters.
But then again, if this world had two main protagonists and the goddess still saw fit to bring me here...
Then just how dangerous is this world?
If the main characters aren't enough to save it, then it must be downright apocalyptic.
Hah.
You know what?
Maybe I'm not the designated protagonist.
But so what?
I'm Eun Hee-Jin. Even if I'm just an extra, I'll steal the spotlight.
Because frankly?
I'm way too good to be a side character.
If they're the protagonist by destiny, then I'll be the protagonist by sheer competence.
---
Bzzzt Bzzt
The microphone crackled with static before a smooth, commanding voice rang out across the vast exam hall.
"Welcome, everyone."
All eyes turned to the source of the voice.
Standing at the podium, was a man with striking features. Dark red hair and sharp golden eyes that scanned the crowd.
Johann Hemsworth.
The headmaster of Lumen Academy.
A living legend in both magical and academic circles. Charismatic and poweful. The kind of man who changed the course of a generation by simply choosing who to teach.
And today, he stood before them.
He almost never appeared during orientation. Not unless the incoming students was something truly special.
Which only meant one thing:
This year's talents were extraordinary.
Geniuses from every corner of the continent. Heirs of noble families, prodigies hidden in obscurity, even those who had clawed their way to the top from nothing.
And of course, two scholarship students who had already passed the test just to be standing here.
Johan Hemsworth was here to witness them.
The headmaster's voice crackled through the enchanted speakers with a dramatic flair, the mic buzzing slightly before clearing.
"How's everyone doing today? Feeling good, I hope? I'm sure you're all brimming with anticipation!"
He grinned wide enough to rival a carnival barker, his yellow eyes gleaming with excitement. His red hair shimmered slightly under the overhead mana lights as he stood atop the platform.
"And I sincerely hope you can hold onto that excitement. Because the test will begin shortly!"
A ripple of murmurs spread through the exam hall, but Johan Silva raised a hand dramatically.
"But before that! Let me introduce your supervisor for today's test! Drumroll please!"
With an exaggerated spin and a flourish, he tossed a handful of conjured flower petals toward one of the instructors, showering him in sparkles and blossoms.
The man sighed heavily, brushing petals off his shoulders.
It was that teacher.
"Please, a round of applause! Kraft Ludger!" Johan beamed.
Ludger pinched the bridge of his nose before stepping forward, his expression stone-flat.
"I am Kraft Ludger. I will be your test supervisor. Do your best." He said curtly, clearly trying to mask his irritation with the headmaster's antics.
Johan clapped enthusiastically, completely unfazed. "Alright, let's get things rolling then! Professor Ludger, if you would?"
With a sigh, Ludger addressed the students. "The test is simple. It's a free-for-all battle. Your objective is to eliminate at least one mage and one knight. The more opponents you defeat, the higher your evaluation will be."
A wave of confusion and unease washed over the crowd. Whispers broke out. Some looked uncertain, others startled. Most hadn't expected such a blunt, chaotic test.
"Silence," Ludger said firmly. "The exam begins now. Go all out. The structure is reinforced with high-grade barrier materials, and injuries will be promptly treated by our Medic Department. No excuses."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
A sudden crack echoed through the hall. A student sucker-punched another with a wild grin.
"Hah! Taste that!"
That single punch was all it took.
Like dominoes toppling, the hall erupted into chaos. Spells were cast, weapons drawn, and students scrambled for space as the free-for-all began.
Ludger sighed again, already regretting his assignment.
And The Headmaster? He just laughed like a child watching his favorite show unfold.