I Realized It Was an Academy Game After 10 Years

[Hello!]

The voice of the Observer was as bright as a child on a trip to an amusement park.

As if what was about to happen was merely a ‘game.’

I suppressed the rising irritation and slowly approached the creature, whose eyes peered through the crack.

“Hey. Observer. You came as promised after a month.”

[I’ve got the patience to wait for the best stage!]

Looking at the dozens of expectant pairs of eyes, I felt as if I was facing a being of a completely different dimension.

If it set its mind to it, I’d be squished flat on the road like a frog.

There was that much of a gap between the Observer and me.

But…

Hadn’t it always been like that?

The Hydra did, and wasn’t Harpas the same? There was no need to fear just because of a gap.

Feeling fear was akin to admitting there was no chance of victory.

I couldn’t be afraid, even if others might be.

So, I confidently stood before it.

“Observer. As promised, I’ve prepared the best stage. So… you better match my energy.”

[You’re cocky.]

A tentacle approached right in front of my face. Despite it threatening to crush me, I continued speaking without a care.

“Is that really going to make you waste the best opportunity you have?”

[What?]

I met its bewildered gaze head-on.

A shiver coursed through me as its glittering eyes seemed to pierce me, an Observer trying to ascertain the truth of my words.

But what did that even matter?

In the end, what it would understand is that ‘I’m speaking sincerely.’

“I heard you’re starving for ‘games.’ You’ve probably been appeasing that hunger by collecting various life forms, calling them toys. But has that really satisfied your hunger?”

Why does it collect its “toys”?

Why is it so thirsty for enjoyment?

In the end, isn’t it due to boredom?

It must need something to soothe that boredom after living an incredibly long time, unlike humans, who do all sorts of things out of a longing for play.

If even humans, who live a short life compared to it, become desperate for toys, what would such a long-lived Outsider be able to resist?

Unless it has superhuman mental strength, can an Outsider with a childlike personality, openly displaying its hunger for fun by calling its collection “toys,” really hold out?

That’s why I expected it to accept my offer.

[I don’t like it.]

“Are you really going to throw away the chance of a lifetime for such a trivial reason, oh great being that has lived an unfathomable time?”

[You?]

The Observer frowned, glaring at me.

My heart raced.

I recalled the faces of lovers to calm myself.

The one who gets heated loses. That was a certainty, so I needed to be cooler than ever.

“Is that really how you want to waste such a carefully crafted stage without even enjoying it? This chance may never come again! Has anyone else prepared such a stage except me?”

Its gaze was fiery.

Though it was half a gamble, fortunately, instead of getting angry, it shot me an annoyed look.

[…There hasn’t been.]

Though it had a childlike personality, it wasn’t truly a child. That cute demeanor masked the soul of a long-lived Outsider.

Seeing it reluctantly concede, I immediately spoke up.

When it reached a level of psychological acceptance, I had to push ahead without hesitation.

“So… Crafting.”

I created a reasonably flashy table and two chairs, then sat in front of one and extended my hand.

“So, have a seat. The best games are played at a table.”

[You’re really annoying.]

As the crack expanded and its true form began to descend onto this land, I could feel the world groaning.

But this world endured, gritting its teeth against the Outsider’s unrelenting invasion.

Could it be that this world is also doing everything it can to survive? Thinking that warmed my heart a little.

[Being persuaded by a mere creature is humiliating.]

“A splendid choice. Sometimes, you have to toss aside your pride for real fun.”

Its form was far too large to sit across from me. It hovered halfway out of the crack, looking down at me from above the table.

The disparity in our sizes made this scenario inevitable.

By the way, this thing really looks like Cthulhu.

A strange feeling washed over me as I made eye contact with its bald, tentacled head. My head felt a bit dizzy. Had I not received the blessings of the Quartz family beforehand, it wouldn’t have been unusual for me to go insane right there.

Facing a true Outsider, not a mere expelled deity, a regular human would lose their mind in less than a second.

In a surrounding atmosphere where even the air seemed to be screaming, I opened my mouth again.

“Now we can play a game.”

[If it’s boring, be prepared.]

“Don’t worry. It’ll be the best game you can enjoy. Just don’t regret it afterward.”

I rested my chin on my clasped hands on the table. Its eyebrows twitched at my posture.

If you’re mad, go ahead and kill me.

After all, if I lose, I’m dead anyway, so what does it matter?

Perhaps it was genuinely curious about the game I prepared, it didn’t pick at that point and directly asked.

[What’s this ‘best stage’ you prepared?]

“Have you heard of War Games?”

[War Game?]

Seems like it doesn’t know.

That’s a concept that only arises in the 21st century, so it had no way of knowing. It would be a different story if it could catch a glimpse of the 21st century, but that wasn’t the case.

I continued, keeping in mind that the Observer was ultimately a boss within the game.

“To put it simply, it’s a war game. But for humans, it’s enjoyed like this. Crafting.”

I placed a chessboard and chess pieces on the table.

[This is a toy for humans.]

It seemed like it had seen it a few times. Well, considering it’s called an Observer, it must have seen humans play chess at least once. I picked up the bishop piece from the chessboard and said.

“Humans really love their war games. Throughout history, they have spent much of their time engaged in war. They’re well-versed in it. Among the toys you collected, there were surely those who excelled in war.”

What would its criteria be for identifying its ‘toys’?

There must be some basis for judgment.

I speculated that it was ‘war.’

Simply observing would likely be the most stimulating element—the bloody fight. While this isn’t a grand evaluation, considering the fact it sought me out after the battle with the Outsider Golem, my guess could hardly be wrong.

Fortunately, it seemed my speculation hit the mark, as it showed signs of understanding.

[That’s true… But I don’t play games like this.]

It asserted that it wouldn’t be satisfied with such a pastime.

That made sense.

A being like it wouldn’t be content with something as simple as a board game. I never thought it would be satisfied with just that either.

This was merely the setup.

“I agree with you. Such a trivial game couldn’t provide the true enjoyment of a war game.”

I stood up from my seat like a theater actor, turned around, and pointed to the tower below.

“Do you see? Countless toys have gathered for war.”

Humans.

Elves.

Half-Breeds.

Different races lined up in an orderly fashion, waiting for orders. I briefly fixed my gaze on my lovers among them before turning to look up at it.

“It’s a contest of strength between my toys and your toys. How about that? Isn’t it intriguing?”

I smiled confidently.

I had revealed my hand and simultaneously executed the strongest provocation I could muster, leaving only to watch how the Observer would react to my words.

The Observer began to laugh, opening its mouth hidden among the many eyes.

[You’re really fun! I thought the most you’d do was provoke my carelessness with a sharp tongue, but you prepared such an entertaining event!

I love it! If you become my toy, you’ll be the best toy to brag about to everyone!]

Please don’t shout so loudly in my face.

I forced myself to ignore the throbbing pain in my eardrums and opened my mouth.

“This is the ‘game’ I propose. And how about we reward the winner with a wish?”

[Alright!]

Oral agreement established.

I extended my hand toward it, wearing a confident smile.

“Then, I look forward to working with you.”

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