Chapter 1

A Genius Tamer of the Academy - Chapter 1 (1/252)

A Genius Tamer of the Academy Chapter 1

Someone said that reincarnation is like a roulette wheel.

We could be born as humans, dogs, or even cockroaches crawling on the ground.

So, just being born as a human means we've survived this cruel gacha game.

To put it bluntly, I did survive this game of luck.

Up to this point, things were quite hopeful.

Compared to my previous life, where I died from overwork.

But, unfortunately.

I messed up in the rest of the luck.

The place where I opened my eyes was neither the familiar Republic of Korea nor any part of the Earth...

It was a scene from the post-apocalyptic novel I was reading.

Let's put that aside for now.

Even if I roll in dog poop, this world is better, at least it's not the afterlife.

However.

"Why the hell... Han Shiha?!"

I ended up possessing an extra villain in this post-apocalyptic novel with an extremely low survival rate.

And not just any extra, but a one-time villain who is brutally killed in the first chapter.

At this point, I start to wonder about that 'someone'.

"Is this really good luck?"

* * *

A Wise Academy Life.

A fantasy series known by its abbreviation, Wise Academy.

It was a masterpiece that consistently topped the bestseller charts for hundreds of chapters, despite numerous hiatuses.

Perfect buildup and a spicy post-apocalyptic flavor, with a gripping plot that made you read from the first to the latest chapter in one go.

Even when I was a veterinary student, preparing for the national exam, and even when I died from overwork after graduation.

I was always with that work.

"It was really fun."

The problem is...

"If only the author hadn't disappeared."

A long mid-series notice starting with "I'm sorry...".

The hiatus notice that promised to return in a few months became a symbol of the series.

Even as the comment section exploded, the author never showed up again.

A novel that could have been a landmark in fantasy literature but ended without a proper conclusion.

Still, as someone who followed it for years, I only hoped it would return someday.

There were countless plot threads, and so many were left unresolved.

Especially the last chapter, which ended with a cliffhanger that left me desperate to know what happened next.

But.

You know that cliché?

Where someone writes a long rant about a mid-series novel or sends an email to the author, and then gets possessed by the novel.

That kind of cliché.

If it were something like that, I could understand.

But I can confidently say that I never wrote a single negative comment or review.

During the hundreds of chapters, I only ever said "Thanks for the read" at most.

Even in the chapter that went on hiatus.

But...

"Why me...?"

I ended up possessed in Wise Academy.

"Novel is good... Possession is good..."

"But why this guy?"

I, who lived a life completely opposite to that of a protagonist.

I might have once thought about becoming a flashy 'protagonist' in a novel.

In the end, I did step onto the stage of that scene.

But in the worst possible way.

"..."

Ding.

<Han Shiha>

An incompetent F-class tamer.

Facing failure. Interested in black magic and conducting research.

Has a petty personality and can't control his temper, leading to his eventual death.

Magic Power: 45

Health: 13

Intelligence: 20

Senses: 17

Charisma: 4

Alignment: Neutral Evil

Apart from having the same name, I possess a character who has nothing in common with me.

"Did I do something wrong?"

The message box that appeared before my eyes confirmed that I was possessed in Wise Academy.

Look at that brutal character description.

An incompetent tamer who couldn't even control his own magic power.

He was once praised for his innate magic power when he first entered the academy, but that was it.

Unable to control the monsters he summoned, he was ostracized and eventually turned to the dark side.

He served as a lackey to black mages and cast a curse on the protagonist, only to be brutally killed.

"Aah."

What a mess.

Why the hell did I get possessed by this guy?

Thinking about Han Shiha's tragic end sends shivers down my spine.

And.

Thinking about my current situation makes my legs tremble.

A face with a cold gaze turned to look at me and spoke.

"Who are you?"

"A student from Ardel Academy, he's asking to be let in once."

Drip.

Drops of water fell from the ceiling, and the words echoed in the cave.

I would have been better off in a dungeon filled with monsters.

Because this is a facility of black mages.

Specifically, a reception area where new members are accepted, a core part of the organization.

Located in a rather secret place, it's not easy to find unless you dig deep.

After quickly scanning the situation, I understood what was happening.

Unfortunately.

I was possessed at this exact moment.

The moment when Han Shiha, a first-year student who was ignored as a failure, sought out the black mages.

And not just any place, but a facility he found after searching through various forbidden books.

On his own.

"..."

Ah.

I really messed up.

* * *

A magician with a hooded robe spoke in a low voice.

A voice so unpleasant that it made my skin crawl.

"Ardel Academy?"

"..."

"Let him live. He might be useful."

"Yes, understood."

If it were any other intruder, they would have been killed on the spot.

The man who nodded at the mention of Ardel Academy quickly moved away.

Thud, thud.

The sound of his footsteps made me feel like my lifespan was being cut short.

Only then did I try to take a deep breath and regain my composure.

Well, I passed the first hurdle, but the situation was still far from positive.

"Ask for his name when he comes in."

"Yes, understood."

The man spoke calmly.

Here, surface-level information like names and ages isn't important.

They plan to make a blood pact and bind the person to the organization forever.

"Follow me."

If they think you're useful, they'll let you live; if not, they'll kill you on the spot.

Of course, Han Shiha was the former.

Though he was a weak tamer who couldn't control his magic, he had a decent talent for black magic.

This place is off-limits to ordinary people.

The fact that he found this place, which is protected by a barrier, means he has some basic talent for black magic.

Am I going to get dragged into this mess?

My mind goes blank.

Even if I don't die here today, I'll surely die at the hands of the righteous protagonists.

The seemingly romantic title of A Wise Academy Life belies its true nature as a post-apocalyptic story.

The main conflict in the novel is between the virtuous protagonist and his friends, and the black mage organization that constantly attacks them.

The black mages, who have lost power compared to the past, are building their strength underground and eventually invade Ardel Academy, but are wiped out by the protagonist and his group.

However, there's no need to look too far ahead.

In fact, Han Shiha is a one-time villain extra who dies much earlier.

This is so depressing.

Still, this path is not the way.

Even if I survive this crisis, I will surely die if I stay here.

"..."

I was muttering and observing the situation.

Squeal!

A pig being slaughtered, a sound that made my skin crawl.

The man in the black robe who was guiding me spoke.

"It's worse today. We need to install a soundproof barrier."

His calm voice was chilling.

A place where the sound of a pig being slaughtered is the background noise.

I wiped the cold sweat from my hands and quickly thought.

"Ha ha..."

"Your courage to come here is commendable. Do you know the joining procedure?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then, go that way."

His face was half-covered by a hood.

I managed to control my expression as the chilling words continued, and I swallowed hard.

After the blood pact, there's no way to leave this place.

I need to make a decision.

If I try to escape, what are the chances they'll figure out who I am? Fifty-fifty?

It's a life-or-death gamble.

With the mindset that you can survive even in a tiger's den if you keep your wits about you.

No matter how dangerous the situation, I shouldn't step into this place.

The black mage organization that was brutally destroyed by the righteous protagonists.

My fate won't change much if I join them.

I need to make a move.

I can't look back.

But how?

How do I make a move?

If you're going to throw someone into a post-apocalyptic story without any explanation, at least throw them in at a safe point. Even games have tutorials, but this life started with a practical test from the beginning.

No, if I was supposed to die as soon as I entered, they wouldn't have possessed me.

I still haven't given up the hope that I can survive by thinking hard.

"Hmm."

Is there a way out?

As I quickly scanned the cave, which was connected like a complex maze.

The sound of a pig being slaughtered became even more painful.

Squeal!

The man in the robe's face stiffened for a moment.

"Is there a problem?"

"!"

"Wait here. There seems to be an error in the basement."

Swoosh.

He frowned and raised his crooked staff.

His back disappeared quickly as he went to check the problem.

Could this be...

As I observed with wide eyes, an unexpected answer came from an unexpected place.

Ding.

A different blue status window appeared before my eyes.

What is this?

An opportunity has arisen.