The Weakest in the Academy Became a Hero Rider with Limits

In the morning, I finished the orientation class, [Introduction to Basic Magic]. The content of the lesson was easy to understand, even for someone like me who had no prior knowledge of magic, likely thanks to my experience playing [Flame Chaser]. However, there were still many things I didn't know.

After class, I headed to the cafeteria for lunch.

"Hey, that guy..."

"Isn't he the one who got an F-grade yesterday? Seriously, how did he even get accepted here?"

"He's so pathetic..."

"Hey, quiet! If he hears you, you might end up like that guy who passed out yesterday."

As I sat alone eating my 50-point lunch, I could hear the jeers from other students.

Considering how loud they were, it seemed like they were deliberately speaking up so I could hear them.

I had already guessed it, and as expected, the fact that I had been graded an F in mana had spread among the students.

This academy encourages a system where the weak are oppressed by the strong, so it's natural for them to look down on those ranked lower than themselves.

As an F-grade, with a score even lower than Kevin Islana's E-grade, this kind of treatment was unavoidable. I was the weakest in the academy.

Originally, this should have happened to Kevin, but it seemed that his E-grade evaluation had been overshadowed by my F-grade.

In other words, since I was the weakest here, I couldn't defeat anyone, so it was only natural for them to look down on me.

Well, let them be. As long as they don't cross the line, I'll just treat their words like the chirping of birds in the morning.

Today marks the fifth day since I arrived in this world, and the reality is, this is my world now. Even if I sleep, my soul won't return to Earth or the afterlife because I've already died on Earth.

Since I have to live here, I shouldn't cause unnecessary trouble with other students to ensure my academic life remains comfortable. So, it's better for me to ignore their chatter.

Besides, I don't have time to worry about trivial taunts like these. Instead, I need to dedicate my time to training from now on, meaning I have no time to worry about other things.

This morning, I had some time before my class started, so I decided to continue what I was doing last night: drafting my future plans while recalling memories of playing the game in the past. I had fallen asleep while working on this plan last night.

My top priority is to reach the top position in the Magic Department. Of course, this is a difficult and exhausting path.

Grades aren't just the easiest way but also the most effective way to measure how strong someone is. Since I need to become the strongest to survive in this harsh world, it's crucial for me to improve my grades. My main goal is to surpass the top seat, Luna Stella, and I'll do whatever it takes to achieve that, even if it means risking my life.

As a side note, getting low grades isn't an option. If I fail repeatedly, I'll be expelled from the academy, and then I won't know how the story is progressing. The world could end in destruction in various ways.

Honestly, recalling things about this world, I planned to acquire one of the ultimate weapons.

However, after thinking about it, it would be better to leave them to the heroines or those talented in specific elements.

Honestly, I don't know how far I can develop with colorless mana. I've understood that this mana characteristic allows me to use all elements, but on the other hand, I realize the possibility that I might not be able to fully master what I learn.

It's like the definition of "Jack of All Trades, Master of None," where I can learn everything but can't become a true expert. That's why I plan to let the heroines have the ultimate weapons, as they are the kind of characters who are "Master of One," exceptionally skilled in a specific element, even if they have at least two elements, they are still highly proficient in their main element.

The ultimate weapons are usually obtained by the player in the second semester of the second year in the game. However, since I'm not bound by the game's storyline like Kevin Islana, the timing of acquiring them could be faster.

I want to get them as soon as possible if I can. Because the ultimate weapons will be very helpful in completing the game.

To obtain each ultimate weapon, I must pass trials given by their guardians. But before that, I need to raise my resistance to all elements to at least the minimum of 40.

Based on the original game's setting, each person can only use a maximum of two types of elemental magic, which is why Professor Ferdinand is so extraordinary, as he's an anomaly in the number of elements he possesses. The only exceptions are fairy power and possibly spirits, at least that's what was written in the game's lore. Unfortunately, spirits themselves have long disappeared and have never reappeared since long time ago.

I don't know which third element Kevin will choose later among all the elements, but I think it's most likely that he'll exclude the fire element since he already has a special element, holy fire. Indeed, in the game, it's the player who decides which third element Kevin will take, but based on a survey conducted by the fandom community, the percentage of players who chose the fire element as the third element is less than 2%, probably because most players think taking the fire element is a waste of the third slot since Kevin's character already has holy fire.

But, it's up to him later. I just need to take the other ultimate weapons that he doesn't take, although I can't be sure if I can take all of them or not because the requirements are really strict.

40 resistance for each element corresponding to the weapon you want to take, just taking one is already troublesome. I can't push myself too hard; if it's not possible, then I'll just let it be.

So, thinking about that, I decided to act carefully while considering future situations.

Anyway, I must complete this game no matter what...

I'll pour all my abilities into saving this world.

I played [Flame Chaser] in my free time during high school and continued playing it afterward just for nostalgia.

So, with all the memories of playing this game, I can't possibly let the game world I played with such nostalgia be destroyed.

Although, honestly, I never once imagined that I would transmigrate into [Flame Chaser] as a character whose existence I didn't even know, and I know this will be a long and exhausting battle before my ultimate goal is achieved.

I'm also willing to do evil deeds without hesitation if necessary.

"Hahaha..."

I laughed hollowly without realizing it, causing the people around me to start whispering.

"Hey, did that guy just laugh?"

"Just leave him be, maybe he's too frustrated from getting an F-grade that he's gone crazy."

Hey, I'm not crazy! That damn brat's mouth is so rude!

I could hear them calling me crazy, but whatever, let them be.

After eating, I walked to my class...

"Hello."

".....?"

...when suddenly someone greeted me from behind.

I immediately stopped and looked back.

I saw a silver-haired girl, her hair tied back with a black hair tie, and her crimson eyes shining like rubies.

Liana Astralin, the second-ranked student in the first year of the Magic Department, was the one who greeted me.

Then, I identified her.

[Liana Astralin] 

Level: 90 

Race: Human 

Elements: Wind, Fire 

Danger: X

Hmm, just like in the game. But why is Liana talking to me?

Is she going to give me advice like an elder, encouraging me not to lose heart and to keep striving to improve my grades because I'm an incompetent F-grade student?

No, if it's Liana, she's not that cruel to others.

"Number 52 from Class Y, right?"

"No, that's a bit lacking. Number 52, F-grade from Class Y, that's the full version."

I answered indifferently. Well, it's not like I'm insulting myself, but I just intended to joke.

"Ah, I didn't mean to insult you like that, please don't misunderstand."

"Yeah, yeah, alright."

I nodded obediently and then asked her.

"So, what's up, Liana Astralin?"

"...Huh? So you know my name?"

I fell silent hearing that.

Why wouldn't I know her name if she's the famous second seat? Somehow, this game-like element makes me feel weird.

"Of course, I know you because you're the extraordinary second seat."

I answered straightforwardly, not bothering to think of fancy words.

"...."

But she didn't respond.

Suddenly, an awkward atmosphere enveloped our first conversation.

What is this feeling? Did I say something wrong just now?

Ah...

That's right, I forgot about that...

Liana Astralin is the second daughter of Duke Astralin, who oversees the northern region of the Hexium Empire.

So, in other words, Liana is a high-ranking noble, whose name is known and respected by everyone.

On the other hand, I'm just an ordinary person with no family name, and I'm sure my background as this character is unclear.

Her status is too high for me to speak so casually to her.

And perhaps she thought it was natural for me to answer, "I remember you because you're from the prestigious Astralin family," accompanied by various compliments like a barrage of bombs, instead of answering with, "I remember you because you're the second seat."

Should I apologize for my rudeness and act politely now?

I cleared my throat to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Ahem, I apologize for my rudeness, Lady Liana. Please understand that I'm just a commoner who doesn't know the etiquette of nobles."

I bowed my head slightly and apologized sincerely, not wanting to cause trouble.

But Liana was surprised and waved her hand vigorously.

"Ah, no, that's not what I meant! Forget it, you can speak to me as comfortably as you like, I don't mind at all."

She answered with a slightly uncomfortable tone, as if she didn't like my attitude just now.

"Ah, is that so? Then thank you for your generosity."

I smiled warmly at her generosity and then asked again.

"So, what's up? Why did you greet me?"

"Uhm, before that, may I know your name?"

I nodded quickly.

"Of course, my name is Rei."

"Rei... Rei... I see, I'll remember that."

She repeated my name twice and then clearly stated that she would remember it.

What is this? You don't need to remember me, you know? I'm not planning to make connections right now.

"So, what's up?"

I repeated my question once more. Because this is really uncomfortable for me.

The real problem isn't Liana but the students who occasionally glance at Liana talking to me as they pass by.

They're trying to guess the content of our conversation based on our lip movements.

"Is Liana talking to that commoner who got an F-grade...?"

"Why is Liana doing that?"

"Is she talking to him because she thinks he's pathetic and is ruining the prestigious academy's image by being an F-grade?"

"Hey, that's impossible! Lady Liana isn't that cruel! Lady Liana must be advising and encouraging that commoner to work harder!"

That's roughly what they're talking about.

The situation where the top student, the second seat in the Magic Department, the daughter of the prestigious Duke Astralin, with her B-grade mana, is talking to the incompetent trash, the weakest in the academy with an F-grade, and a commoner, is utterly nonsensical.

What kind of situation is this...? It's really just troubling me.

Honestly, I really want to just end this conversation with a respectful bow and run away immediately.

But I'm trying to hold back that desire.

Maybe I'll be executed on the spot if I do that for disrespecting a noble under Lèse-majesté laws.

"Rei, I'll ask you directly... why are you hiding your power?"

"...Huh?"

"Excuse me? What did you just say?"

I don't understand. Since when have I been hiding my power? Is she asking about my power when I fought the demon?

"I'm asking why you're hiding your power? You know that would trigger something like this, right? To the point where they mock you like this."

Ah, I see. It seems she's asking out of concern. Indeed, in the game, her personality as a noble is very kind, reflecting the goodness of the Astralin family, who don't mistreat commoners.

"I don't understand what you're talking about. However, I can honestly say that I'm not hiding my power at all. As the second-best student, you can surely feel how weak I am, right?"

I answered truthfully. Because indeed, I'm not hiding my power at all. I'm the weakest, and that's a fact.

"Well, I know, but—"

Before she could answer further, I cut her off.

"If you know, then that's good. I'm not hiding anything, that's the truth, and an undeniable fact. Doing something like 'hiding my power' is pointless. If I were hiding my power, I'd be a fool, because you surely know that's what caused my parents to be insulted so viciously. That's all, I'll excuse myself now. Good afternoon."

Then, I quickly left Liana, who stood still in place.

I really don't want to deal too much with the heroines unless it's something important.

Let her think whatever she wants; I can only answer based on the facts. I don't want to, and don't intend to, answer according to their expectations. I'm not a stupid character who transmigrated into a novel or game they know, only to create unnecessary misunderstandings. Besides, the power I used against the demon wasn't my own power; it was more like borrowed power due to limitations. So, I never want to acknowledge it.