If there are three positions in a typical RPG game—tank, damage dealer, and healer—in [Reincarnated Hero], they are categorized as front line, middle line, and back line.
And dividing roles according to the positions is called positioning, which corresponds to the beginning of chapter 1 of [Reincarnated Academy].
“First, let’s see this, shall we?”
With a brief comment from Instructor Sylvester, an image started to be projected on the large wall in front through a magical item.
Soon, black shapes appeared.
-Kieeeek!
-Kuruur…l…
It was the twisted appearance of demon creatures.
When reading about them, it didn’t hit hard, and I didn’t see them closely in the game, but seeing the demon creatures’ faces up close was shockingly grotesque.
-Ugh…
-What is that…?
It wasn’t just me thinking this; the students in the temporary class C were also starting to grimace slightly.
Sylvester began to speak slowly as if unaffected.
“Even at this hour, the demon forces are advancing. The Empire urges the awakening of humans known as the so-called heirs to stop them and protect the stronghold with the sacred stones, as well as to purify the corrupted sanctuaries.”
With just a video, the atmosphere had somewhat changed.
Maybe they sensed it wasn’t just a simple youth academy life; tension began to fill the room.
“Even now, your seniors must be fighting hard on the front lines. Thus, remember that your training here and your academy life are the results built upon someone’s sacrifice.”
“Well, I apologize for saying this right from the start, but unfortunately, with your current abilities, purifying the sanctuary? Demon hunting will be quite a struggle for you. In other words, you would not be much help to the force.”
No one dared to interject after Sylvester’s continuous remarks.
Having just finished two months of basic training and being anew, it was obvious our combat abilities were dull.
“So, do you know what is most needed for you right now?”
It wasn’t a question Sylvester was likely expecting an answer to, but someone raised their hand.
“Over there, student?”
“It’s the sense of reality, which is also the motto of the academy.”
It was the pink-haired top student, Melissa.
“…That’s right.”
Suddenly, whispers came from right in front of me.
-Isn’t that princess the top student among freshmen?
-Academically the top, right? The practicals are the job of Caeran from class B,
-If she’s pretty and studies well, A-class is a done deal.
Indeed, the main character favored by the author had a different vibe.
Being able to speak up in this silence was anything but ordinary.
“The reason you were admitted to this academy is solely due to your inherent potential. Nothing else is needed. The academy will provide numerous trials for the students. In that practical training, your abilities will bloom in the shortest time possible.”
Sylvester’s voice began to grow louder.
“In that process, some will give up, be expelled, be looked down upon, and it will be a very tough road. Therefore, I recommend those who wish to give up to raise their hands and leave now.”
Sylvester elegantly pointed his hand towards the door.
-…
Thus, silence fell for 30 seconds.
No one moved.
Well, that was only natural.
How could anyone judge when they hadn’t even started yet?
I had no choice either.
If my mental state was weak enough to be shaken by such intimidating comments, I would have given up long ago.
“Alright… It seems there are none this time. I would like to throw you into the real thing right away to test your will; however… there’s something to do first…”
Is it finally starting?
“From now on, we’ll begin positioning. Students who are called will choose their positions and select their main weapons. Lastly, although you’ve probably heard this a thousand times, it’s important, so Vice Instructor Bella will explain.”
As Sylvester stepped back slightly, a woman who appeared to be the vice instructor stepped forward.
“The front line is the core personnel leading the party. This requires both stamina management and a belief strong enough to endure exposure to dark magic since you’ll be the closest to the demon creatures. Therefore, if you have sacred power to strengthen that belief, you’ll be even more suited.”
Having played the game numerous times, that was all too obvious to me.
Let’s forget about the front line for now.
Just seeing those demon creatures would dampen my spirits.
“Next, those who can learn elemental magic, spirits, summoning, enchantments, or those skilled in healing with sacred power will be assigned to the middle line, where protecting from enemy attacks is easier. Here, measuring magic power is important, so additional tests will be conducted once the line is decided.”
Hmm…
‘Pseudo magician’ Lev would probably aim for the middle line.
Though it’s all meaningless talk.
“Finally, those who perform ranged attacks without spells, are prepared for unexpected surprises with auxiliary weapons, or those who excel in information gathering but don’t fit in the front or middle lines are advised to aim for the back line.”
And with that, Bella’s explanation ended.
It was truly simple.
Reincarnated Hero was an uncomplicated game.
However, given its simplicity, it was also difficult.
After all, this game was designed for hardcore players.
Of course, I had bored myself to death with it, memorized most strategies, and could spend time pushing through alone, but here it was a real battle where saving was impossible.
The controls would be handled by me possessing the character.
Above all, being a protagonist didn’t mean starting off invincible; synergy with companions is crucial for growth.
Even the same class had several job divisions, and ultimately, how you composed your party could yield hundreds of combinations, so controlling all those variables wouldn’t be easy.
“Once a position is chosen, it cannot be changed for a while, so I hope you choose wisely. Now, the prepared student body…”
-Drrrk!
Before his words ended, I immediately stood up from my seat.
“Lev Denec, I will choose first.”
I had already thought about positioning well in advance, and I had things to test out.
[Achievement Unlocked]
[Third-rate Confidence! : Obtain 10 Supporting Role Points]
As I made my move, whispers arose around me, as if they were suddenly aware of me.
-Isn’t that guy still not dropping out?
-He was sneakily sitting at the back all along,
-What face does he have to walk around with?
-How disgusting…
-Well, he lost to the last-place Edwin, so what would he see?
But I ignored them. No, it was even better.
There was a reason I took such a silly step.
————————————————————
Your Inherited Ability: Outsider
Since the beginning of the new semester, you, who executed a confession attack, are doomed to live your school life like a dead rat.
You, who are a certifiable outsider,
Your presence will periodically become faint.
————————————————————
This inherited ability, Outsider…
Seeing that no status window appeared even in this situation,
This is indeed a revelation to diminish one’s presence or to truly act like an outcast.
The concept of inherited ability itself is a divine revelation meant to combat demon creatures, so it wouldn’t just be for making me an outsider.
It must have a separate purpose.
With a satisfied expression, I stood in front of Instructor Sylvester.
The feeling that he could see through me with the tiny slits of his closed eyes while wearing that grin…
Though truthfully, he was just a MacGuffin.
“I have made my decision.”
“Hmm… That was quick.”
“Shall we choose?”
“Have you considered enough?”
“Yes, well.”
In that moment, I felt the vice instructor also looking at me.
Certainly… This academy was established solely for the purpose of training students to defeat demon creatures.
There were probably many from the imperial army, so they wouldn’t favor someone with a light-hearted vibe.
I took the lead.
“First, I will aim for the back line.”
“The back line…”
Sylvester frowned as if wanting to know the reason.
He then took out a small notepad and began checking something.
“I understand you have inherent magic and mana, but can I ask what your intent is?”
“That’s…”
I wanted to avoid being drenched in the blood and flesh of demon creatures if I took the front line.
That’s why I wouldn’t receive much in the way of fire or light if I went for the middle line; wouldn’t just serving as a flashlight drain the team’s blood?
Of course, I couldn’t honestly say that.
With a smile on my lips, I responded.
“I think I can do well.”
“…You believe you can do well?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t a lie.
As I had thought earlier, if I supported a middle line mage, it would expose my lackluster skills, and the front line is… an absolute no-go for the talentless.
Ultimately, by elimination, the choice was the back line.
Originally in the game, the back line was a trash position anyway.
At least I’d have some way to utilize my abilities there.
“…”
The vice instructor Bella also still wore a disapproving expression.
Well, she likely knew my family, and there probably hadn’t been such cases before.
She was worried, knowing the endings of such individuals.
Sylvester nodded and spoke to me.
“Very well. The auxiliary magic weapons are available over there… I wish you luck.”
In the back line, focusing magic power will only apply to the enchantment class, as I can cast spells in advance.
Sylvester probably thought I would use physical enhancement-type auxiliary magic.
As I merely stared at him without following his instructions,
“…?”
“…”
Sylvester tilted his head slightly and asked me.
“Well, do you have more to say?”
“I intend to be a marksman.”
“…!”
[Achievement Unlocked]
[Third-rate Bravado! : Obtain 10 Supporting Role Points]
‘This is surprisingly sweet…’
Sylvester’s expression subtly changed.
-Isn’t the Denec family a magic family?
-I don’t know, he’s a bit odd…
-It would actually be good for him, right? Considering how he faced a countryside bumpkin during the entrance exam, he has no talent anyway?
As I mentioned wanting to be a marksman, the atmosphere here grew quite cold.
-Can you handle the competitiveness of being a marksman?
-Well, I heard some elves entered this semester; surviving will be tough.
-He’ll probably drop out.
“…Once chosen, the position cannot be changed for a while. Are you still willing to pursue being a marksman?”
“Yes. That’s my true intention.”
One thing to clarify about [Reincarnated Hero] is that
It isn’t just an ordinary profession like archer that would lead to reactions like,
-Hey, hey, that guy wants to be an archer?
-Is he seriously planning to pick up a bow?
In this world, being an archer is a truly ordinary profession with deep roots, necessity, and is extremely common.
However, it’s different within this academy.
While anyone can learn archery without any issue, all academy students are mandated to receive archery education, and even as an “auxiliary weapon,” bows are recommended.
However, whether to use it as a primary or auxiliary weapon determines the division of roles.
Choosing a bow as your primary weapon means entering a competitive system with others wielding the same type of weapon, but since bows are significantly affected by family and race just like magic, it was safe to say that a mage family would never choose it.
Thus, in [Reincarnated Hero], every character has their respective family or unique traits, so they could only build according to their predetermined destiny.
Of course, there are some weirdos who play it differently, but that would make it a level of difficulty comparable to using Aria, the healer, as an assassin.
Initially, my magic potential was what got me admitted, so if I suddenly insisted on doing something else, it would put the academy in a difficult position.
He fixed his gaze on my face and extended his right arm with a flourish.
“…Alright. Very well. Please choose your weapon over there.”
As I stepped away, I heard another remark from him.
“It would be better if you can prove your worth through results…”
Sylvester’s gaze seemed to stay on me until the very end.
