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Chapter 1
“…So, you’re saying I’ve transmigrated into the world of a novel.”
For quite a while, I kept walking while muttering to myself.
“And of all people, I ended up in Kamon Veid’s body?”
A dry laugh escaped my lips.
“Wow… this is seriously ridiculous.”
To be honest, whenever I read novels or comics about regression, transmigration, or reincarnation, I had imagined, ‘What would I do if I were in that situation?’
“But now that it’s actually become reality… I don’t even know what to say.”
As I muttered that, I unconsciously slipped my hand into my pocket.
“Ah, right. It’s gone.”
Instead of feeling the familiar shape of the smartphone that would normally fit perfectly in my hand, I found only empty space and scratched my head.
“Haah… This is driving me insane.”
The title of the novel I’d transmigrated into was The Legend of the Hero – The Choice of the Holy Sword.
Just as the title suggested, it was an ordinary fantasy novel about the hero chosen by the Holy Sword who saves the world.
“…Though people absolutely tore it apart because of the awful plot.”
The story followed the classic formula of the chosen hero defeating the Demon King, and by the time I’d been reading it, only the final episode remained.
Well, up to that point, everything was fine.
It was shocking, sure, but still within the realm of something I could understand. Being transmigrated into a novel I’d been reading was, in its own way, exciting.
The real problem was…
“I’m just some third-rate villain extra who gets written out at the beginning.”
Kamon Veid.
A completely insignificant extra whose only purpose was to be sacrificed so the protagonist could shine during the opening chapters.
Yeah.
Honestly, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about ending up in this guy’s body, but fine. I could somehow accept even that if I tried.
But…
“Why did it have to be this point in the story?”
The victim was none other than the Empire’s Princess.
In other words, someone whose status was practically equivalent to national authority.
I had transmigrated after Kamon had already committed the unforgivable mistake of attacking someone who absolutely should never have been touched.
“Seriously? Isn’t the usual pattern to transmigrate long before an event like this—or at least right before it happens?”
That way I’d at least have a chance to stop it!
But waking up in the middle of the worst possible situation?
What exactly was I supposed to do now?
“Haah…”
I slowly shook my head and looked up at the clear blue sky.
“Forget it.”
Complaining now would accomplish nothing.
“What matters is how I survive from here on.”
Muttering that, I sank into thought.
How did Kamon Veid end up in the original story again?
“…”
I searched my memory for a moment, but nothing came to mind.
Come to think of it… I don’t think Kamon Veid was ever mentioned again after the Princess assault incident…
Well, getting disowned by his family would explain disappearing from the story.
Still, in most novels, even early-game villain characters tend to come back later somehow.
But this guy wasn’t even mentioned again?
“Don’t tell me… he died?”
Honestly, that wouldn’t be surprising.
A criminal guilty of attempted assassination of the Princess being thrown out with no protection…
There was only one likely ending.
“No. That’s impossible. Why would he die?”
I hurriedly shook my head, denying the possibility I’d just imagined.
The novel never actually said he died.
He simply never appeared again.
“So… he’s alive. He has to be. No… he must survive.”
I repeated those words to myself like a mantra before finally forcing the thought aside.
“Enough. Stop thinking about useless things. Let’s stay positive.”
Worrying over something I couldn’t change wouldn’t solve anything.
Maybe transmigrating into Kamon Veid wasn’t entirely a bad thing.
There were no annoying family obligations anymore.
No predetermined destiny I absolutely had to fulfill.
Besides…
Maybe I’ll even get to learn magic or spirit arts.
Compared to twenty-first-century Earth, this world certainly lacked a lot of conveniences.
But surely it had plenty of things that were better.
“So for now…”
Looking around, all I could see was an endless dirt road surrounded by fields of grass.
The road behind me led back toward the Veid family’s estate—the place that had cast me out.
Deciding what to do next wasn’t difficult.
“Let’s head to the Academy.”
The novel I’d transmigrated into was an academy fantasy set in a medieval world.
And everything I know about the future story happens there.
Besides…
“The Academy should be safe.”
As long as I remained a student, the Academy had the responsibility to guarantee its students’ safety and protect their lives.
Which meant that, in my current situation, there was no safer or more reliable place.
“First, I’ll secure my safety at the Academy. After that, I’ll figure out what I’m actually capable of.”
Just as I was about to start walking with renewed determination—
“Wait a second…”
I suddenly stopped.
A problem I’d completely overlooked until now flashed through my mind.
“How exactly am I supposed to get to the Academy?”
For the time being, I simply followed the road.
After walking for what felt like forever, I finally discovered a small village.
Oh… Just as I thought.
I’d figured that a road naturally formed by travelers would eventually lead to a settlement.
Seeing people living there filled me with relief.
First, I could gather some supplies.
Then I could ask for directions to the Academy.
As I hurried toward the village, an elderly man standing near the entrance noticed me and called out.
“L-Lord Kamon?”
“Huh? You know me?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
The old man quickly nodded.
“Of course I do. How could I fail to recognize Young Master Kamon, heir of House Veid? I am the village chief.”
“Oh, you’re the village chief.”
Well, that made sense.
Someone like the village chief would naturally recognize the heir of the lord governing these lands.
Though…
I’m not the heir anymore.
Well, whatever.
I quickly asked him for directions to the Academy.
“You mean the Plaines Imperial Academy?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“B-But why all of a sudden…? And… where are your attendants?”
He looked at me in confusion.
“Well… I wanted to tour the neighboring territories by myself this time, but I ended up getting lost.”
Trying to stay in character as Kamon Veid, I made up an excuse.
“I see. Then shall I simply tell you the way to the nearest village?”
“No, that’s not necessary. Just tell me the fastest and safest route to the Academy.”
“Hm?”
The village chief tilted his head.
“But didn’t you say you wanted to tour the neighboring territories?”
“Well… after wandering around so much, I’m getting tired. And traveling alone seems a little dangerous. I can continue sightseeing another time.”
“Hahaha. I understand.”
He smiled and nodded.
“The fastest and safest route to the Academy…”
He pointed toward the left of two diverging roads.
“Take that path. You’ll have to cross a mountain on the way, but there isn’t anything particularly dangerous there, so you should make good time.”
“Oh. So I just keep following that road? About how far is it?”
“Well… we country folk have never traveled there on horseback, so I can’t say exactly. But on foot, I believe it usually takes three or four days.”
“Ah…”
Three or four days… walking?
For people born in this world, maybe that wasn’t a big deal.
But that’s going to be rough…
I’d have to sleep outdoors.
Watch out for wild animals.
And since it was a mountain…
There’d definitely be bugs.
Ugh.
The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became.
“Haha. Anyway, thank you. That helps a lot.”
“It’s nothing. This old man wishes he could do more.”
After saying that, the village chief suddenly seemed to remember something.
“Oh! If you’re leaving empty-handed, wait just a moment. I’ll fetch some camping supplies from my house.”
“…What?”
My eyes widened.
“N-No, you really don’t have to—”
“Haha. I wouldn’t feel right sending you off with nothing.”
Before I could refuse, he returned with a simple tent, emergency rations, a fire starter, a water flask, and every other camping necessity.
“I really owe you. Thank you. I hope good fortune comes your way.”
“Haha. If this old man can be of some help, that’s enough. Now then, travel safely.”
“I’ll never forget this kindness.”
After thanking the village chief several more times, I repeatedly bowed before leaving the village.
Following the road he’d shown me, I eventually entered the mountain trail.
“The people out here really are kind.”
After spending so much time in the selfish modern world, experiencing such generosity naturally brought a smile to my face.
If I ever get the chance, I’ll definitely repay him.
Making that promise to myself, I continued toward the Academy.
Thud!
“I… finally made it.”
Dropping to my knees, I muttered through trembling lips.
Ah… it’s warm.
The gentle sunlight pouring down from the sky felt like a gift prepared just for me.
As if it were washing away every bit of suffering and injustice I’d endured.
“…Yeah, right! I seriously thought I was going to die!”
According to the village chief, the mountain should have taken no more than three or four days to cross.
But…
“Three or four days? It’s been over a week!”
And it had been anything but easy.
I constantly avoided traces of wild animals.
Donated plenty of blood to swarms of insects.
And at the very end…
I even got chased by a bear.
Thanks to that, I lost every single one of my belongings and barely escaped with my life.
“You said it was safe! You said there wasn’t anything dangerous!”
As I shouted my complaints into the air where no one could hear them—
Clatter! Clatter!
A carriage rolled past.
At the same time, I heard the voices of a mother and child walking nearby.
“Mom, look over there. That mister.”
“Sweetie, don’t stare. He’s a strange person.”
What? Mister?
Excuse me, ma’am.
I may look a little suspicious right now, but I’m definitely not a middle-aged man.
I finally ended up in the healthy teenage body of someone who hasn’t even enlisted in the military yet, and you’re calling me a mister?
…Well, honestly, I wasn’t even that upset.
I’m just happy to see other people again.
Human civilization…
It really wasn’t something anyone should ever leave behind.
Just look at all these people.
All these buildings.
This…
This was paradise.
If my memory was correct, this city was Bellium, the city located just outside the entrance to Plaines Imperial Academy.
“Sniff… Sniff!”
Suddenly, an unbelievably delicious smell reached my nose, forcing me to turn my head.
Then I saw it.
Sizzle—
Large chunks of meat were roasting over a huge brazier, filling the air with mouthwatering sounds.
Around them, countless delicious-looking dishes were being prepared inside a restaurant.
Gulp.
After losing all my supplies while fleeing from the bear, I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days.
Growl…
My stomach loudly announced its existence.
At that moment, one of the chefs cooking beside the wide-open window happened to make eye contact with me.
“Hm…?”
I hurriedly turned my head away.
But…
Growl…
I couldn’t hide the sound of my stomach.
“Hey, you over there. Beggar.”
The chef called out.
“Here. Catch.”
He held out a bowl containing some food.
“T-This is…?”
“I don’t know what happened to someone your age, but eat this.”
“But… I don’t have any money…”
“Ah, just take it! It’s free!”
“Th-Thank you.”
As I reached for the steaming bowl, the warmth in my hands seemed to spread all the way to my heart.
“…Thank you for the meal.”
Without hesitation, I stuffed the food into my mouth.
The rich, savory meat stew exploded with flavor, and before I realized it, I shouted—
“Delicious!”
“Huh?”
“I-It means it’s incredibly tasty!”
“Really? That’s good to hear. I’ve got a kid around your age myself, so I couldn’t just ignore you.”
The chef rubbed the tip of his nose at the compliment before continuing with a puzzled look.
“But seriously… what on earth happened to someone your age…?”
Gulp.
“Well… I got lost in the mountains. Ended up losing all my luggage.”
“The mountains? That’s a dangerous place. Where did you come from?”
He tilted his head curiously.
“Uh… from the territory of House Veid. I heard it was about a three- or four-day trip, but I got lost, so it took me over a week.”
“Huh? You came from House Veid’s territory? Then why’d you cross the mountains? If you’d just taken the main road, you would’ve gotten here in two days at most.”
“…What?”
