4 – Interview
Iris Academy.
One of the proud symbols of the Iris Kingdom,
one of the four prestigious academies in the ＜Academy Series＞.
True to its reputation as one of the four prestigious academies,
to enter, not only skills, but a considerable amount of funds are required.
The amount reaches a staggering 20 gold.
With the average middle-class annual salary being barely 1 gold,
even if you save as much as possible, it would take a minimum of 20 years to accumulate that amount.
Afterward, there won’t be any significant expenses except for the four years’ worth of tuition fees.
But still, 20 gold is not a small sum, it’s not something you can pay nonchalantly.
‘What does my real father do?’
In front of the main entrance, without realizing the reality, I remembered what happened a few days ago.
He usually went around drinking alcohol,
boasting about being a great wizard, a court magician, and everything else with his own mouth.
That drunkard is none other than my father.
With those words, he forcibly sent me to the academy.
He even added unnecessary words like saying that he had already paid 20 gold and asking me to bring back a bride.
‘Honestly, thanks to my father, I survived.’
After breaking up with Lily, I worked like a dog to earn money,
but the result was only 2 gold, less than a tenth of the required amount.
And I lost my way and ended up with that amount perfectly intact in my pocket,
but there will surely be a use for it later on.
But for now, it’s Lily.
According to the story, she should be coming up in a carriage soon.
As expected, when the carriage with familiar patterns stopped in front of the main gate,
A blonde woman, clearly appearing aristocratic, revealed herself.
Her hair was intricately arranged, as if capturing the essence of the sky.
And even her timidly asserting chest.
It was Lily Bright, the original heroine from the ＜Academy Series＞ that I knew, reunited after three years.
“I can’t believe it, she has joined the academy this time.”
“Since the Bright family crest is on the carriage, she must be a true hero.”
The Academy became instantly chaotic with Lily’s arrival.
Even amidst the murmurs directed at her,
Lily walked confidently without hesitation.
I wanted to talk to her right away, but it was still premature.
*Sigh*
Taking my gaze off Lily, who was heading towards the Academy building, I looked around for a moment.
Could there be any other characters or individuals worthy of attention inside?
With that thought in mind, I checked, but…
“It’s not the right time yet.”
My narrowed eyes skimmed over specific individuals and wandered again.
If it wasn’t the protagonist…
Finding others wouldn’t be too difficult.
The problem lies with the protagonist.
It cannot be determined solely based on appearance.
The protagonist is always the player themselves, so their appearance can change at will.
That’s why it’s not about looks,
But rather being confident about what will happen in the future.
“Putting that aside.”
I glanced around discreetly and wondered why the level of female students entering the Academy is so high.
Not only their looks, but their figures rival those of models.
The male students are equally impressive, but that’s none of my business.
“A bride, perhaps?”
My father’s joke-like comment echoed in my ears.
When I was falling between beauties, it sounded even more distinct.
Shaking off the thoughts, I walked to the main building of the academy for the interview.
***
The hallway was silent with the tension of students waiting for their turn.
Admission is not canceled based on the results of the interview.
However, it is also not something that can be overlooked.
Half of the students are assigned to the highest class through interviews and practical tests conducted once a week.
In other words, S-class, where someone like Lilly is, consists only of model students with good character, skills, and assets.
Of course, with my skills, S-class is a piece of cake, but
I will do my best to be assigned to the highest class possible.
If I am assigned to a class that is too low, it will be difficult for Lilly to get promoted to the S-class later on.
‘Am I being too cautious?’
It’s been three years since that day, but it was difficult to figure out the true identity of the profession of a “prison guard.”
I couldn’t handle a sword like a warrior,
Or shoot an arrow as accurately as an archer.
Could I fight in the first place as a prison guard?
I can’t even see the possibility when I think about the opponents I will have to fight in the future.
However.
‘If it’s the only profession I don’t know about…’
As someone who has done every job, I finally had hope this time.
Lilly’s sweet ending, who had failed in every profession.
Then, could the profession of a prison guard, which I have never tried before, be a clue?
I entered the academy with hope in such a faint hope.
How far will my strength go?
How strong can I become?
‘Oh? Well, if you think about it, the main character has to grow, so most of it cannot be useless, right?’
If the main character becomes stronger, the chances of Lilly surviving would increase.
At the same time, if I take Gyun’s fate, the chances of the main character surviving would decrease.
Realizing the important fact late, more than a passing shower, a waterfall of cold sweat overflowed.
My game knowledge, which was once my greatest weapon, has become completely useless.
I am not the protagonist (player) in the present.
I’m no different from the extras that pass by on the street.
So, if I want to save Lily while avoiding all dangers, I have to become strong enough.
“Is that even possible?”
I’m neither a genius nor someone with hidden powers!
How can I grow quickly without any risks?
I haven’t even started yet, so is the future dark because of my mood?
A sigh escapes me.
Worries are like a mountain.
“Ron, aren’t you here?”
“I’m here!”
I stood up, clearing my mind from wandering thoughts, at the call.
Leave the future for later,
Now is the time to focus solely on the interview.
Calming my trembling heart, I knocked on the door before entering,
And as I entered, I heard the instruction to proceed, so I slowly opened the door.
Inside, there were flickering lights that seemed old-fashioned,
And I swallowed my dry saliva at the table placed in the center.
Silently, I took a seat, feeling that the atmosphere here was different from the academy.
“Are there any interviewers? Anyone?”
Swoosh
Looking around, there was no one else besides me.
Only a chair similar to the one I sat on was on the opposite side of the table.
Where on earth are the interviewers? Do they eat clouds for snacks? Or have invisible noses?
“Nice to meet you.”
At that moment, a voice suddenly came, making my whole body shiver, and I faced it head-on.
Then, I couldn’t hide my surprise at the interviewer who appeared out of nowhere in the vacant seat.
Since when were they here?
If they had just sat on the chair, they would have made some noise, right?
Several questions swirled through the mind, but soon, the focus shifted back to the interview.
The interviewer, as if proving the existence of a web novel-based game, appeared unusual from the outset.
Covered entirely in a pristine white robe, even the face was hard to discern.
Normally, one would confidently remove such a robe in front of the protagonist.
And undoubtedly, beneath the robe, there would always be a beautiful woman.
“Well, that’s too obvious.”
Still, it was fine.
A beauty concealed by a robe—it seemed like an element bound to succeed.
Thinking that way, the desire to see the face, even just once, arose.
“How can I manage to see it…?”
Regrettably, even a slight tilt of the head didn’t reveal any contours.
“Then, the first question. Do you have a criminal record?”
As the fixation toward the face was abandoned, the interviewer posed a bizarre question as if commencing the interview.
Would someone with a criminal record even be admitted to the academy in the first place?
Oddly enough, while pondering this, the answer was given honestly.
“No, I don’t.”
“…Then, the second question. Are you satisfied with your job?”
The interviewer fired questions one after another without pause.
Perhaps because of their professorial position at the academy, they knew how to apply pressure.
However, for someone like me, who had experience even in small companies, such pressure was nothing to be bothered about!
“I can’t say for sure yet, but I believe it could change depending on the effort exerted.”
“…Then, the third question.”
Usually, at this point in an interview, additional questions follow. For instance, since I mentioned effort determining change, it’s typical to inquire about what kind of effort.
However, the interviewer’s questions seemed haphazardly scattered, lacking coherence.
I earnestly answered each one, continuing the interview.
“Now, this is the final question.”
At the mention of the final question, a flush spread across my face.
No matter how familiar it may be, in the end, an interview requires quick wit.
To me, who pretended to be calm on the outside, it felt like a gospel, as if pleading for it to end quickly in my heart.
“Are you happy?”
I had thought it was a random question up until now, but this time, that thought became even stronger.
Am I happy?
Why did I transmigrate into the “Academy Series”?
Why did I suddenly meet Lily one day? I have been questioning that all along.
But the petty thoughts have long been erased by the idea that I can save Lily with my own hands.
“Yes! I am absolutely convinced that I am happy every moment!”
I’m grateful that someone called me to this place, even though I don’t know who it is.
Thanks to that, I can save Lily.
After hearing my answer, although it could be a mistaken assumption, the interviewer seemed to smile subtly.
I wonder if they liked my answer.
Or was it because it was easy to evaluate?
The interviewer, who I couldn’t read at all, took something out from under the table and placed it on the table.
“A bag?”
A small bag that seemed to fit in the palm of both my hands when they were put together.
With its long strap, it looks like a waist bag.
“This is for you. I will continue to pay attention to you in the future.”
“Thank you.”
I thought the interview would end after all, but to receive such a gift…
This interviewer, they really know how to impress.
I wrapped the received bag around my waist, and it fit even better than I had imagined.
It was as if it was a bag made exclusively for me.
“May good luck fill your future.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Before I finally stepped out, I bowed my head in response to the interviewer’s kind words and left the room.
Now, the interview must be over.
Shall I go and see the Academy that I only saw in the game for myself?
“Oh, wait a moment!”
Just as I was about to leave with great anticipation, the professor who had been guiding me called me to stand.
What’s this? Is there still something left?
“Don’t go in?”
In response to her question, I tilted my head.
I just went in, is there a need to go in again?
With that doubt in mind, I asked back.
“I just finished the interview, is there something left?”
“What are you talking about? You just grabbed the doorknob and turned back.”
“Excuse me?”
In an instant, I doubted everything.
At the same time, I realized from her attitude that the interview hadn’t even started yet.
This is interesting. I have expectations