ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 4
4: Entrance Ceremony and Treasures
After the students’ self-introductions, we moved to the athletic area of the learning district. There was a ground outside where physical training was conducted, and the athletic school building was used for whole-school events. Today, it was set up for the entrance ceremony. The piped chairs were lined up, and the students stood in front of them. As first-year students, we formed a nervous line, but since the lower and middle school students were also present, most of them were trying to maintain their composure.
The student council was in charge of the ceremony.
“Hello, new students! I’m Kururugawa Me’y, your idol and senior! As the student council’s public relations officer, I’ll be taking care of you all! Don’t worry, this school doesn’t have boring school assemblies, so let’s have fun and get excited!”
The flashy girl on stage was throwing out words that made me stunned. Her striking outfit caught my attention – black long hair, a clear image ruined by pink inner color, and a sparkling star-shaped hair accessory on her head. She wasn’t wearing the academy’s designated uniform but a custom-made one, a red-based stage costume-like modified uniform with a checked mini-skirt, and she was none other than Kururugawa Mei, the charismatic idol and current high school student.
The students were making a fuss, completely forgetting themselves, as if they had seen a celebrity on TV. The hall suddenly became noisy, but when Kururugawa raised her hand slowly, the surroundings became quiet as if it was a lie.
It was as if she was a beast tamer.
In reality, it was our first meeting, but she had already dominated the entire student body.
Once again, I realized she wasn’t an ordinary person.
“Ah, yes. You’re the one who’s been talking.”
Kururugawa smiled and clapped her hands.
“Then, let’s proceed with the student council president’s greetings…”
“Un.”
A white-haired boy with a transparent aura, wearing a white shirt, got up on stage, replacing Kururugawa. He was slender and short, giving off an impression that was somehow otherworldly. Although he was an upperclassman, he seemed like a junior.
He slowly scanned the lined-up students. As someone with knowledge of the original work, I realized he was evaluating the students.
It was better to avert my eyes, as those who caught his attention usually ended up in a tragic situation.
“…Hello. I’m Tenjuin Yatsufusa, the student council president. I’m glad to be able to greet you all. Although there are few new students this year, I’m proud to say that you all have surpassed the high hurdles to get here. For the next three years, I hope you’ll be proud to be students of this academy and live a life that won’t shame us.”
…He was saying something unbelievable.
Tenjuin Yatsufusa, the student council president, was depicted in the game as a man with a strong sense of superiority. He was an excellent person who looked down on fools who couldn’t keep up with him. In his eyes, there was only himself. He probably thought of the 1-D students as insignificant stones.
“Next, the vice president will give his greetings…”
It seemed like the student council would conclude the ceremony on their own.
The teachers standing on the side were just extras.
They were just standing there, doing nothing.
I think I’ve finally realized that the academy’s entrance ceremony was a ceremony to demonstrate the student council’s authority to the new students. The executives on stage, who were making grand speeches, were dazzling, and their goal was to instill in the students a sense of admiration and longing. However, that was an impossible task.
The students who entered the student council were mostly selected from the lower school and had been attending the academy since then. It was a narrow path, and without connections or talent, it was impossible to get in. The student council was a gathering of the elite among them.
It wasn’t a position that ordinary people could easily aim for.
The student council’s goal was to strengthen the sense of privilege among its members. If they received envious glances, the members would feel good, wouldn’t they? The position was a kind of drug, and by making them dependent on it, the student council executives could control the members at will.
It wasn’t something a student would think about.
They were truly terrifying people.
As I thought about this, the main program seemed to have ended. I let out a big yawn while listening to the student council president’s closing words.
◆
After finishing the lesson, we returned to the classroom, where Shadow Mountain-sensei explained the content of tomorrow’s lesson. Today’s lesson is over, and we can do as we please. We can take a stroll around the facility or head straight home. It’s up to us.
“Student Council, that was crazy!”
“Tenjuiin President, you were so cool…”
“Gado Vice President is too beautiful!”
“Was the first greeting like an idol’s?”
“That’s the Student Council’s PR. What’s with that?”
“Can we somehow get into the Student Council?”
“No way, that’s impossible. Don’t dream about it.”
“Let’s head back to the facility!”
…It seems most students want to explore the Academy’s facilities. I can also hear some positive comments about the Student Council.
――Now, I’ll take action too.
As I stood up with my bag, a voice called out to me from beside.
“I’m going to explore with others.”
“Eh…”
“Are you going home right away?”
“Ah… yeah, that’s the plan…”
“Ah, okay.”
…What’s going on?
My heart started racing at Houkou’s sudden action. I had said I was going home, but I didn’t really mean it. After saying what she wanted to say, she blended into the circle of girls in the classroom. When did she become friends with them? I didn’t think she was sociable, but at least she’s better at it than me.
But, on the other hand, this is crazy.
“Hey, Aiba-kun! Want to explore the facility with us?”
“How about Godai-kun too?”
“Ah, haha…”
Aiba and the others were being attacked by the girls. Aiba handled it smoothly, but Godai next to him looked clearly annoyed.
“…Sousuke, I’ll go ahead.”
“Ah! Wait!”
Godai Sou was the first to escape. He hung his wooden sword bag over his shoulder and quickly left the classroom.
“Sorry! I’ll explore with him today, so maybe next time!”
Pan! Aiba apologized with a bow and chased after Godai. He prioritized his friendship over the girls…enviable.
As I watched Aiba and the others leave, I restarted my own actions.
I should hurry a bit…
◆
Let me explain again. The 1st floor of ABYSS was originally a vast safe area with only a transfer device inside the ABYSS structure. There were no monsters, and it was used as a campground for warriors who were mainly focused on conquering ABYSS. The interior had a sense of openness, with a transparent ceiling that made it hard to believe it was indoors. Although we call it a “tower,” it’s more convenient to say “floor.” The 1st floor and other floors are not physically connected and are separate spaces using transfer stones.
The “Academy” refers to the entire 1st floor. It consists of a learning area with school buildings, an exploration area with facilities for explorers, and a transfer area with transfer devices. The government’s top priority is to collect resources from within ABYSS. Since many people challenge the “tower,” there’s no need to limit access. Although the transfer devices are connected to the Academy’s, they are set up at each base. However, the number is still limited, and to alleviate congestion among explorers, the Academy’s devices are left open. As a result, you can see professional explorers other than students in the transfer area.
I moved from the learning area to the exploration area an hour ago.
This is huge…the Academy is too big!
I want to finish my goal quickly and go home.
As I grumbled to myself, I discovered a dome-shaped facility ahead.
“I found it…”
I arrived at the outer rim of the exploration zone. Generally, the abandoned facilities of the Academy are built in this area.
Why did I come to such a place? Well, it’s because I’m on a treasure hunt. I’m not just randomly rummaging through discarded items. I’ve got a lead based on my original knowledge.
“Ah, I think it was around here…?”
I entered through the door and began searching the abandoned facility. There were trash bags scattered all over the floor, but since ABYSS is a living entity, it doesn’t leave any bad smells. The process of decomposition is what people call “disappearance” (LOST). The only exception is the Safe Zone, where items don’t disappear no matter how much time passes. That’s why this abandoned facility is located on the boundary of the Safe Zone, far from the central area of the 1st floor.
I had a reason for walking all the way here.
“Ah, found it!”
As I was searching, I discovered it. In a dusty, old magical tool container, there was an amethyst-like gemstone ring at the bottom.
This was my target.
I was relieved to have found it without any issues.
If I didn’t retrieve it at this timing, all the accessories here would disappear. The rarity of the item itself isn’t that important, and if I’m lucky – or unlucky – I might be able to get it easily. What’s crucial is that I secured this equipment at LV.1.
“Preparations for ideal growth (BUILD) are complete. But do I really need to go that far…?”
If I’m going to prepare for unexpected situations, planned growth is essential. However, I’m just a mob character, Ishiru Shouma, and I’m not involved in the main scenario. In the original story, Shouma fades out due to his own personality, and if I don’t make any unnecessary moves, I can live a relatively peaceful life. It’s not bad to just roll with it and live in the world of Legacion.
I’ll think about it overnight.
For now, I won’t equip this ring.
It’s not impossible that I might wake up to find myself back in the original world.
In fact, that might be a higher probability.
Thinking about such carefree things, I pocketed the ring I had obtained.