The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 1

「YOU DIED」

…Would you like to try again?…

Retry? You must be joking.

“Stop obsessing already!”

I was so mad I almost smashed my monitor.

What kind of game was made like this?

The unprecedented masterpiece that hit South Korea in the second half of the year—‘Pandemonium Academia.’

Caught up in the craze, I played 890 hours, but still hadn’t seen the ending.

Mostly due to the heroines’ obsessive behavior driving me crazy.

“I can’t avoid the death route.”

If those damn girls are going to act like this, they might as well change the growth experience points to obsession instead.

“Oh, should I give it a shot?”

Pandemonium Academia offers wild character customization.

The explanation was a bother, but anyway, it was possible.

━━━━━━━━
[ Growth Experience Points: Obsession ]
━━━━━━━━

………Setting complete………

“Oh, it works.”

But then a little problem arose. Custom settings come with demerits. In other words, due to balance adjustments, the demerit for the growth experience points I touched was set.

━━━━━━
Abnormality
– Anxiety
– Delirium
– Convulsion
– Blindness
– Somnolence
– Weakness
– Hemoptysis
━━━━━━

“What the hell is this?”

I gained a serious disability, but whatever.

I wasn’t taking any damage in reality. Without hesitation, I spammed the click.

………Save complete………

And so, I became a total loser.

Haah, as I took a deep breath, the musty smell of dirt hit my nose.

I didn’t even know where I was. Because the blindfold covering my eyes blocked my vision entirely. I bit my lips and inhaled.

“Ugh…!”

This was tough too, thanks to the gag stuffed in my mouth. Moreover, my arms and legs had been confined in a straightjacket for quite some time.

‘Shit.’

Anyone would think I had reincarnated as a caterpillar, but I was human. About a week ago—without any warning—I was thrown into the ‘game world’ as an outsider.

「Yuto」

That was probably the role given to me.

Yuto is an orphan. I have no idea why. He’s someone whose name I’ve never even heard in the game.

However, it was clear that I was one of the “over 140” students mentioned in the prologue line, ‘……In this session. There are over 140 students in Pandemonium Academia…….’

And Yuto had the character customization I set in the real world last.

As soon as I realized this fact, I sought a way to survive.

This kind of pattern typically leads to the ‘ending’ where you can return to reality.

‘I’ve watched web novels for a day or two.’

So I diligently worked hard, doing my best to plan and struggled to be obsessed for growth. But I never dreamed that this meaningful effort would lead me to such a situation.

“Ellie. I know. It’s that blindfold ornament, right? In fact, Ellie, you can see perfectly…”

“What exactly are you…? How did you figure out my secret?”

Her fierce demeanor almost gave me the illusion that I could see through the black blindfold covering her blonde locks and fair skin.

“That blasphemous power… I can’t help but suspect you’re a Demon worshiper.”

Huh?

It was clear I was digging into the secret of the main heroine, blind swordswoman ‘Ellie Ingrid,’ and was developing our relationship into a cooperative one. Plus, if she got obsessive with me, I could nab some obsession experience points too.

“I will formally submit an interrogation request to the Inquisition Officer of the Empire. I will uncover whether you are a Demon worshiper… and what the source of that blasphemous power is.”

But as soon as I snapped back to reality, it turned into some ridiculous situation.

“No, that’s definitely not it…”

“Shut your mouth. Everything will be decided in court.”

Damn it. I’m truly not!

Yet no one believed my words. Since Ellie, the daughter of a noble house lauded as a promising figure in the Empire, had overwhelming credibility, I couldn’t even argue and was detained.

And now I’m in this ridiculous state, unable to laugh. The only silver lining is that the priest who casts recovery spells for my meals visits me every exactly seven hours.

Tap. Tap—

The footsteps now crossing the detention center were definitely the priest.

Considering the number of times, it was now day three.

In other words, it meant the time for my trial was approaching.

“Ugh… the stench. The detention center staff is the most bothersome. Get up already; it’s trial time.”

Fidget, fidget.

I thrashed about.

Trying to impress upon her the gravity of my situation.

“Oh right, I was in handcuffs? Quit being a pain in the ass!”

“Huff… Huff…!”

“Crazy, are you saying I have a boner? Trying hard even though you can’t see. Tsk tsk, this is how guys are.”

“Ugh! Ughhh!”

“What are you saying? You idiot.”

I remembered that. Just wait. Even if it takes a few threats, I’ll get through.

Trudging along.

Before long, I was tethered to her leash, being dragged without a choice.

Interrogation.

Yeah, I just need to survive this interrogation. It was clear my innocence would be proven. I’m neither a Demon worshiper nor do I have any blasphemous powers. All that purity would soon be revealed to the world.

Inquisition Officer.

The Inquisition Officers, wielding power alongside the Pope in the ‘Bitraise’ Empire. As long as there was proof of their existence, I could turn my situation around.

‘Just wait. You scumbags.’

Ellie Ingrid. And I would absolutely take revenge on the priest who humiliated and disgraced me.

Call me pathetic; I don’t care. I’m already feeling miserable for being kidnapped, so I needed to vent my frustrations!

“Stop! Priest, show your ID and detention number.”

“Hey, don’t make it sound so formal. Here’s my ID. This guy’s number has to be 4485, right?”

“……You’re quite foul-mouthed for a priest. Your ID and detention number have been verified. You may proceed.”

“Alrighty then.”

Clank.

With a heavy sound of the door, a refreshing breeze brushed against my cheek. It was clearly the courtroom. I could feel the gazes filled with ridicule and contempt from dozens, if not hundreds, directed at me.

「Demon Worshiper」

Literally, the cult that worships evil gods leading the world to destruction. Their goal was to formally summon the Demon King ‘Dantalion’ to this realm.

A being that ought to die, and the Demon worshipers who had infiltrated everywhere should be sucked dry of information and eliminated as per principle. In light of that, their response was understandable. But come on, just tell them the truth quickly.

“I shall now commence the interrogation.”

A solemn voice resonated throughout the courtroom. Perhaps due to the magical influence, the commotion was silenced in an instant.

“Defendant ‘Yuto,’ step forward to the central judgment stand.”

Trudging.

I was placed in the center of the judgment stand. Soon, the Inquisition Officer’s ‘pursuit of truth—’ collective consciousness would lay all my secrets bare.

“━━.━━━━.━━.”

An incomprehensible incantation began, and the interrogation commenced. A sensation akin to being doused with ice water spread through my whole body.

Murmurs.

Finally, it must be over. The crowd seemed eager to witness the ‘truth.’

“The interrogation is complete.”

That deep voice once again cut through the din.

“What a truly ridiculous outcome.”

The Inquisition Officer approached me.

“It has been revealed that the defendant does not possess the ability to see through others’ thoughts, known as ‘Demon Eye.’ Therefore, the blindfold will be removed.”

Swoosh. The blindfold was removed by the Inquisition Officer. The blocked light poured in, scorching my brain.

“One more thing, it has been determined that the defendant lacks the ability of ‘Enchanting Demon’ that can deceive others. Thus—

The gag shall be dismantled.”

Sticky saliva and hardened blood dripped to the floor. Fresh air seeped into my mouth, which felt as if it was stuffed with sand.

“Final verdict. The defendant is declared not to be a Demon worshiper. Hence, I shall remove the restraints and prove his innocence.”

Damn.

See? I told you it wasn’t me!

Where is that damn girl? The moment my vision cleared and my breath stabilized, I started searching for her. The infamous Ellie Ingrid, who framed me as a sinner. As the one who filed the complaint, she must definitely be here.

‘There she is. You damn bitch.’

Ellie Ingrid’s expression was something to behold. She seemed to be shaking with regret, wanting to deny all of this.

“Ugh…”

She tossed her head back and glared at me. Ellie Ingrid’s despair was palpable. I squeezed what little strength I had left and raised my hand.

“Did you say Yuto? Seems you have something to say.”

Of course, I did. The price for orchestrating this absurd farce needs to be paid, right? I struggled to part my parched lips.

“Yes, I do. At this very moment, I am filing a counter-suit against Ellie Ingrid for false accusations.”

Ellie Ingrid’s face turned pale. But don’t get it twisted; this is just the beginning. I’m going to torment you properly. I will use you thoroughly as a tool for my growth and obsession in a different way!