"Now what should I do?"

Relaxing on a bench and watching the students go about their business, Art mused, traces of exhaustion growing on his face.

The use of a technique—something he hadn't learned, mastered, and had just copied—placed an enormous strain on his body. It wasn't enough to knock him out, but it still felt like he had done a day's worth of work.

"I guess I need to start thinking about what to do from now on into the future."

Truth be told, whether Art mattered to the game's plot or not didn't particularly matter. In the story, his death should have been used as a stepping stone for the main characters to grow stronger... or at least, that's how it played out in his fractured memories.

He wasn't trying to dismiss his role, but in the end, among most of the cast, he was one that could be easily replaced by another character. But...

"I find the thought of being a mentor intriguing."

Caressing, the longsword on his lap, his eyes gleamed as a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his sapphire eyes.

This was the kind of person he was—as long as it involved his hobbies, he didn't care how much effort he had to put in.

It was a shame such determination didn't exist when it came to his studies back in college.

"Anyway, I've made contact with Trish and have unexpectedly powered up."

Among the main characters, there was a particular reason he had made contact with Trish first and foremost. It wasn't just because she was currently the strongest among the first years, but because of her obsessive nature.

That quirk of hers served as insurance for many things. The swordswoman wasn't dancing fully to his tune yet, but with the level of trust she had for him now, he was confident that—as long as he played his cards right—he had gained a loyal ally and trustworthy student.

"She's dangerous but strong."

Taking the true main characters out of the equation, Trish was a valuable asset... no, a student he couldn't pass up.

"I'll make her stronger for now... since, unlike Valerie, she's much easier to invest in."

A hero, even with the greatest potential, started at the bottom—which wasn't what he needed right now. For the time being, he would ignore the main character, not just for her weakness but because that very weakness factored into her growth later.

"Apart from Trish, there's also Damien and Cheshire."

The latter two were just as easy to convert into his students as most.

"Ignore them for now and wait for the plot to officially begin."

Originally, even knowing when the game's plot would begin would have been a chore—that was, until he remembered one particular detail about the main character. In her character description, it was said she arrived in Legacy a week after school began because she was undergoing a training session with her new family.

"I don't remember the date, but it should be sometime next week. I'll keep note of that."

There were also two other things he had to take note of.

First: How to improve himself.

For starters, his physical stats were trash compared to even some of the weaker students. His stamina didn't fare much better, and without the sword techniques he had copied from Trish, he might as well be a bum.

To avoid the insane power creep that would follow as the plot continuously advanced, he knew he couldn't rely too much on the skill tickets and had to forge his own strength.

His goal was to nurture all those he considered his students, to help them become wonderful heroes. What good would that mindset be if he didn't have the strength to ensure they were protected until that dream came true?

He didn't want to suffer a tragic death like the original Art. And after facing Villier, he knew there was nothing scarier than death.

He would learn to accept it—but in exchange, he wanted a dignified death. Not one that empowered others or served as a stepping stone for the protagonist to grow stronger. No, he wanted his death to be glorious, the kind of death that didn't breed rage but joy and pride at his accomplishments.

"I want to die fighting Doomsday."

Since it was his death, he would choose when. Hence, he wasn't dying now—not until he had gained enough students, nurtured and perfected them, and finally protected them.

"If I'm going to use them to gain strength, I might as well protect them too."

With a tentative smile, he gripped the hilt of his blade as the second matter came into play.

Second: Villier, one of the antagonists of the game.

If his memories were intact, he would have created numerous countermeasures for that bastard. But right now, he was full of uncertainty. He knew that vampire was a threat, but he wasn't always one. The game's plot seemed to have transformed him into one, and he couldn't remember how—so he was uncertain whether he had to take care of him now or wait.

"Might as well wait... it's not like I can achieve much either way."

He didn't like to sound pessimistic, but right now—especially as he was—there wasn't much he could do about the vampire.

Killing him now was impossible for two reasons:

One, his social standing with the academy. Even if, by chance, he managed to kill Villier, his death would be investigated and eventually traced back to him, which would ruin everything.

Two, the bastard was far too strong.

Villier, first and foremost, was a vampire—the kind of creature that could outclass most aura users with physical stats alone. Combined with that cursed enhancement technique mages were now learning, he would be able to keep up with Art even if all conditions were met. And finally, taking his blood magic into consideration, it was safe to say that, for now, killing Villier was about as impossible as a human trying to kill a whale with the flick of a finger.

No matter how much time they were given, their effort wouldn't amount to much—only discomforting the sea creature. So right now, his only option was to get strong.

So strong that no matter how unpredictable things got, his composure would never break.

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