There’s a concept called “Force of Destiny.”
I’m not sure where it originated, but it appears in works that involve possession or reincarnation. Depending on the situation, it might also be referred to as “Destiny Power” or “World Power,” but “Force of Destiny” is likely the most commonly used term.
When the protagonist of a story becomes a character from a game or novel they enjoyed, it’s like an outside force that prevents them from altering the existing storyline, causing it to flow as predetermined.
Of course, just looking at my book, which completely turned the continent upside down, proves that such a force doesn’t exist. Yet, I thought, surely our protagonist Dia wouldn’t deviate greatly from the image I’d seen in [Deus Ex Machina]…
But why is she like that?
Where did our bold and cool Dia go? Now there’s just a trembling loner who can barely utter a word…
And then there are the girls confronting Dia.
At first, I assumed they were just weird girls who were overly excited about starting at the Academy, wearing their uniforms even the day before school started…
But those name tags indicating their status and the situation made it clear.
They were the typical noble supremacist students, the kind that appeared in [Deus Ex Machina].
I don’t know these girls, but they’re probably part of one of the sororities aligned with the Noble Faction.
If I recall, they probably lure in commoner girls from their group only to publicly humiliate them for fun.
That’s how it often went for Dia, who was a commoner and frequently faced harassment.
“Oh, no, that’s not it…”
But Dia didn’t react that way.
Where did the Dia who always stood tall and confident go? Why is she reduced to this?
“Did she abandon her friend and run away? Abandoning a friend who stood up for her? Typical commoners.”
…What?
She ran away?
That yellow-haired girl from earlier?
No, that can’t be true.
Could it be that girl didn’t sense the hostility?
That wasn’t fleeing.
In fact, if Dia hadn’t intervened, someone might have bled from that fierce confrontation.
But, suddenly disappearing means… Ah, I see.
Two noble women began to pressure Dia.
They were the extras we often saw in [Deus Ex Machina]. While in the game, Dia easily crushed them and served them cider…
But unlike in [Deus Ex Machina], Dia was merely trembling now.
…Why?
You weren’t like this.
What happened to you?
Could it be that the butterfly effect from the book I wrote caused this?
…If it weren’t for me, Dia wouldn’t have ended up like this.
Because of me, Dia…
Just seeing her made waves of guilt wash over me.
It was becoming unbearable to watch.
And the moment I closed my eyes and opened them again, I found myself slipping between them without realizing it.
“Hey. What are you doing to my friend?”
I was spouting nonsense out of nowhere.
Perhaps because I felt an inner bond with Dia, I reflexively referred to her as my friend.
“…Friend?”
“…Who are you? …Noble?”
The Red Girl and Blue Girl stepped back in surprise at my appearance.
Though I wasn’t in uniform, I probably looked like a noble to them.
I had received some management from the territory.
For when I met the main characters of [Deus Ex Machina], I wanted to leave a good impression.
“…No way. There’s no way you’re a noble. A commoner and a noble being friends? Does that even make sense?”
“Well, I guess it makes sense. There can be friendships between commoners and nobility, but you can’t call it a proper noble friendship.”
“You… called me a friend?”
The Red Girl frowned, looking displeased.
“Even if you’re a noble, you’re probably a worthless lower noble, aren’t you? So you’re friends with that silly commoner? Seems like you barged in here without knowing the situation; I’m Kaita. Kaita Aikandar.”
Aikandar. The count’s territory in the eastern empire. Is she a noble lady of the count?
While not a particularly large or influential territory, I heard it was rapidly developing recently.
With the church’s support.
“Have you heard of it? Now, you know that I’m not someone to stare at like that, right? Don’t think I’ll let you off just because you have a good-looking face. If you want to have a proper Academy life…”
Stare?
Did I stare?
…Right. I wasn’t being calm. I thought I had gotten used to this sort of thing, but seeing Dia tremble before these ridiculous girls made it hard to control my emotions.
“Aikandar? I’m not familiar.”
“…What did you say?”
“Were there such territories? Ah, are you from another country? You have the audacity to threaten me, a proud noble of the empire, while being a foreign exchange student and mentioning my Academy life. That’s quite bold of you.”
“…W-What? …Are you insulting me… and our family? You’re out of your league, you lowly scoundrel!”
The Red Girl’s right hand began to gather magic.
While not a particularly threatening spell, using magic here?
Attacking another student right before entering the Academy? In front of so many people?
Is she crazy?
“You can’t ask for forgiveness with that face anymore! I’ll make sure you can’t even attend the Academy! As my personal male servant!”
The Red Girl formed a hand sign.
No way! I might have spoken harshly in the heat of the moment, but is she seriously getting this mad just for that?
This girl’s definitely weird.
People had gathered around in the plaza, creating a ruckus, drawing multiple spectators.
If I do anything, all these people will witness it.
Ah, I didn’t want to show my skills in such a situation.
Wait a minute. No, Dia’s right next to me.
If I show off my impressive side to Dia, it might help ingratiate myself and make it easier to join her journey!
Alright.
Let’s do this.
I wrapped one arm around Dia while deploying a shield with the other to block her attack.
A special shield that can not only block the Red Girl’s attack but also neutralize it.
As the Red Girl’s magic gradually took shape…
The moment that attack lands, through this shield…!
“Take this you ignorant… Gag!”
Thud.
The Red Girl, who had been readying her spell, was knocked down by someone who suddenly swooped in from above.
Seeing the magic canceled out made it clear she had fainted.
Fainting just before the spell was cast. That’s sure to have some backlash. She’ll probably be in the infirmary for months.
The unconscious Red Girl… and the Blue Girl trembling behind her.
The one who knocked down the Red Girl slowly stood up.
A woman with black hair and half-closed eyes.
…Half-closed?
No way!
“Pardon my intrusion, Lord Luke. Our sorority didn’t properly educate the new students. Who would have thought they’d attempt such an act before even the entrance ceremony? Please forgive us, my lord.”
It’s the first time meeting her in person, but I’m certain.
Judah Iscariot.
She’s a female student currently in the third year at the Academy.
To run into her here…
But.
“Sorority?”
Wasn’t she someone who wouldn’t engage in that kind of thing?
“Oh dear, my introduction was delayed. I am Judah, from the Iscariot family. Though modest, I lead the sorority called ‘Gariot.’”
“…Gariot.”
“Yes, Gariot. A sacred place where we share the words of the great Deus. Are you perhaps interested? Unfortunately, only women can join our sorority… I never imagined a pre-designated newcomer would create such a problem. If it weren’t for family faction issues, I wouldn’t have accepted such incompetent individuals.”
She gracefully bowed her head towards me.
“I truly apologize for this. I will personally ensure those two are expelled. Additionally, I’ll make sure they can never harm Lord Luke again.”
She took the Red Girl and Blue Girl away.
The onlookers naturally began to disperse.
Um… did that resolve well, then?
“Th-thank you…”
In a daze, as I turned to the side, I noticed Dia trembling against my arm.
Why is she still shaking?
Didn’t the situation end?
She can’t even express gratitude properly and is shaking.
Is this the protagonist?
Give me back my Dia.
But it feels like I forgot something.
“Get your hands off my friend, you man!”
When I turned at someone shouting, I found the previously disappeared Yellow Girl behind me, accompanied by dozens of others.
Ah. Right.
Her.
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