It's a perfectly ordinary life.
No getting swept up in major incidents, no constantly dancing on the edge of death. Just that kind of life.
When I was born, the Hero was chosen.
By the time I hit puberty, one of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings had died.
When I became an adult, the Demon King was defeated.
I contributed absolutely nothing to the Demon King's subjugation.
Hooray!
I was on pins and needles worrying I might get dragged into it somehow, but fortunately, I succeeded in becoming an extra.
Are you watching, you extra-wannabe protagonists?
This is how you become a true extra.
Anyway, I followed the 'standard noble heir course' and enrolled in the academy.
"Father."
"Yes, my son."
"I'll be off now."
I bowed my head in greeting. He's the grateful father who raised me so ordinarily.
"I believe you'll do well."
And sincere encouragement to boot...
I'll make sure to be a dutiful son. Just wait a little.
I left the estate amid bows from the many maids.
"Young Master, we're departing now."
"Thanks for your hard work."
As the carriage pulled away from the estate, a strange sentiment washed over me.
I was born as Rain, the son of a frontier noble named Ortiz.
The Ortiz household was harmonious and prosperous.
A great environment for studying, zero stress. Perfect.
"I'm glad I reincarnated."
I believed this ordinary life would continue just like this.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The Empire has quite a few academies.
Among them, Runia Academy isn't the top one in the Empire—it's just a step below.
Enrollment age is 20. No restrictions on nobles or commoners. Four-year program.
If it reminds you of a university, you're spot on. It's called an academy, but there's no real difference from a university.
Ah, but thinking about it, maybe not.
The academy has various departments, including the Magic Department and Knight Department. Korean universities don't have those.
Of course, my future isn't as a mage or knight. I have no intention of specializing in anything—I'm just here for the degree, since I plan to inherit the family business.
Honestly, I'd rather skip the academy and farm leisurely, but as the only son, what can I do? There's no one else to take over.
Anyway. My major is Magic Engineering.
"...But where the hell am I?"
I'm ordinary. No other descriptors needed. Just plain ordinary.
Average looks, average knowledge, even average height. If there's one chronic issue for a guy like me, it's that I'm hopelessly directionally challenged.
The entrance ceremony is about to start soon, but I can't find the plaza.
There are these target dummies around... Is this the training grounds?
Honestly, I have no idea how I ended up here.
Damn. Guess I have to use 'it' after all.
"Show me the way to the entrance ceremony..."
"Hey!"
That's when someone called out to me. A red-haired girl.
I was so startled I couldn't even scream, just backed away...
"Why are you so surprised?"
The culprit who startled me has no idea why.
What the? Talking to me out of nowhere.
"This area's restricted to Knight Department folks only."
"Ah."
That makes sense.
"Yeah, uh, I just got a bit lost."
"Really? Hmm..."
The woman glanced me over.
"Pretty ordinary."
She gave her verdict.
Even if I aim for ordinary, isn't this a bit much on first sight?
I should argue.
"I'm Cecil, a professor in the Knight Department."
"Ah, yes. Sorry. I'll head out right away."
If she's a professor, that's different.
Better scram.
"No, that's not it."
"Pardon?"
"Perfect timing. Come here. Help me out."
"Uh, that is..."
I explained my situation.
I'm a freshman.
I couldn't find the way to the plaza and ended up here...
The ceremony's starting soon, so I need to run now.
Sorry I can't help...
After that groveling explanation.
"Ah~ So that's it?"
The professor hoisted me up effortlessly.
"Huh?"
"Hold on tight!"
She was smaller than me, despite being a professor. That's why I thought about standing up to her at first—I mistook her for a student.
But not only did she lift me easily.
"Gahhhh!!"
She's running at this speed.
What speed is this, you ask?
...
Ever ridden a roller coaster? If so, you've felt that gut-twisting thrill. I felt it from atop Cecil's shoulder.
Ah.
Right.
I'd momentarily forgotten.
This is a fantasy world.
Thud!
Professor Cecil landed with a boom right next to the platform.
I was still slung over her shoulder.
"Go find your seat."
She set me down, and I face-planted on the ground.
I feel like puking.
"What? Why are you like this?"
"Th-thank... you..."
I clenched my teeth and stood, and Professor Cecil left with a satisfied smile.
Thank you so much, Professor. If you ever need coffee brewed, I'll make sure to spit in it...
"Ah."
There was one more thing I'd forgotten in the chaos.
This is right next to the platform. And the plaza.
"...Ah."
All the freshmen at the entrance ceremony were staring at me.
"Mommy..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The entrance ceremony ended, and two weeks into the semester had flown by.
I moped around to avoid attention, so I have no friends. In short, I'm a total loner.
I didn't want attention, sure, but not like this.
A sigh escaped at the grim reality.
This is all that professor's fault.
I could've made it on time just running...
"...Sigh."
Best not to dwell. It's in the past.
Only hurts me more.
"That concludes today's lecture. Oh, and there's one assignment."
Someone was speaking from the front. A white-haired beauty.
Come to think of it, this is a major class.
I hurriedly opened my notebook.
No online submission here, so notebooks are key. In this analog world, speed is everything.
"Write up a technology that could replace current Magic Circuits. Oh, and 'none' isn't acceptable."
What?
Professor.
This is the assignment?
...Yes?
"If you've attended and listened well, you can do it. Due next class."
Truth be told.
I didn't pay proper attention in class.
I've been a bit lax lately with all the thoughts on my mind.
But this? Come on, Professor.
I attended every class...
"That's all. Enjoy your lunch."
The professor left after those words.
My mind went blank.
Magic Circuits are the foundation of Magic Engineering. If you can't design circuits, you shouldn't even attempt the field. And we've learned current Magic Circuits use the most efficient known tech.
Replace that?
"What kind of assignment is this..."
I face-planted on the desk.
I had to go to the next class, but no motivation.
"...Still gotta go."
What can you do?
If they say jump, you jump.
.
.
.
The day ended. Lectures, tons of assignments...
Insanely busy.
"Do professors think we only take their class?"
Humanely, too many assignments.
"And this one's a nightmare..."
I stared at the unfinished assignment. Had to turn in something next class, but the future looked bleak.
"Ah, whatever."
I decided to resort to my last option.
I received one perk upon reincarnating into this world:
'The right to bring anything—one thing.'
I chose ChatGPT.
What is ChatGPT? Isn't it the AI that revolutionized the industry back in 21st-century Korea?
Nothing else seemed as useful.
In practice, this ChatGPT has been quite handy. For assignments, exams, you name it.
Ah, it helps with exams because it came in system form. Bringing the 'tech' directly would've been tricky.
Anyway.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Please wait a moment.]
My AI began generating the answer.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙To replace existing Magic Circuits, we need to introduce new technology. Here, concepts like 'DC Circuits' and 'AC Circuits'...
"Print that as is."
I could finally breathe.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Professor Rachel gives weird assignments.
She's well aware of it, and there's a clear reason.
"What's the point of acing assignments if you skip lectures?"
It's to weed out students who ace homework but skip class.
That's why she always hands out these. Even impossible ones yield different results based on attendance.
She'll get flak, but that's her way.
"Let's see..."
Professor Rachel started grading assignments.
This one was odd, but the answer was clear-cut.
Current circuits are the most efficient, so nothing better exists—that's academic consensus. (She invented them herself, so she was proud.)
Of course, 'none' wasn't allowed, so something had to be written. What? Just cite 'past tech.' The key is 'replacement,' not 'advancement.' Proper listeners would get it right.
"Hm?"
Most submissions are terrible, though...
Why?
Professor Rachel set aside her doubts and checked the next one.
He was the only one proposing a 'new technology.'
Rachel snorted.
"This student clearly skipped lectures."
New technology? We said nothing can replace current circuits.
This is a D easy.
...Still, gotta read it.
Professor Rachel began reading the assignment.
"This is..."
She couldn't close her mouth. Muttering "Impossible" repeatedly, she scanned the paper, then checked the name.
The name was...
"Rain Ortiz?"
Professor Rachel shot up from her seat. Her signature white hair swayed.
"I need to find him right now."