I Refuse the Tragic Ending

Morning arrived beneath a clear blue sky.

The bells of Astral Dominion Academy echoed across the sprawling campus as thousands of students made their way toward the Central Assembly Hall.

Today was one of the most anticipated days for every first year. The team assignments for the Wilderness Survival Examination would finally be announced.

Kael walked through the sea of students without attracting much attention. Although yesterday’s practice duel had become a small topic of conversation, most students still viewed him as the weakest freshman.

One lucky victory was nowhere near enough to erase an entire year’s worth of humiliation.

That suited Kael perfectly. The less attention he attracted, the easier it would be to prepare for the future.

As he entered the enormous hall, rows upon rows of seats stretched before him. Nearly every first year had already arrived.

Heroes occupied the left side and Villains occupied the right.

The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation.

”I hope I get paired with Leon.”

”No chance. The academy always balances the teams.”

”I just don’t want dead weight.”

”I heard they’ll mix departments again this year.”

Kael quietly sat near the back. His gaze swept across the hall.

Leon Valcrest sat confidently near the front while chatting with several top ranked students.

Seraphina silently read a book despite the surrounding noise.

Lilith rested her chin on both hands, looking utterly bored. She occasionally glanced around the room as though searching for entertainment.

Then, unexpectedly, their eyes met.

Lilith smiled.

A playful smile.

Kael calmly looked away.

’...Did she noticed me?’

Kael couldn’t believe Lilith to smile at him. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Lilith loved interesting things or people. Unfortunately, those who caught her attention usually found themselves dragged into endless trouble.

He silently prayed he was just imagining things and that she wasn’t actually smiling at him.

A minute later, Professor Magnus walked onto the stage. The noisy hall immediately fell silent.

”As you all know, the Wilderness Survival Examination begins in eighteen days. This examination will determine twenty percent of your annual evaluation.”

A giant magical screen appeared behind him.

Hundreds of names filled the air.

”The teams have already been decided.”

Students immediately searched for their names. Kael also calmly looked toward the lower half of the rankings.

Then he found it.

...

Team Thirty Seven

Kael Grayford

Elias Rowan

Mira Sutton

Darius Holt

...

”So it’s exactly the same.”

He secretly sighed in relief. His teammates hadn’t changed.

Good.

That meant the event didn’t deviate too much. But, he still remembered their future. Or rather, their deaths.

Elias Rowan.

A cheerful commoner who specialized in archery. He constantly joked to hide his lack of confidence. During the academy attack, he sacrificed himself protecting younger students.

Mira Sutton.

A quiet girl gifted in healing magic. She dreamed of opening a free clinic after graduation. She died beneath collapsing debris.

Darius Holt.

A broad shouldered swordsman. Although rough around the edges, he treated his teammates like family. He challenged one of the invading villains to buy everyone else time.

He never returned.

None of them were important characters. Their deaths took less than thirty seconds in the game.

Players barely remembered their names. But Kael did. Because he had watched those scenes more than once.

’This time... these children will live long .’

Meanwhile...

A disappointed voice echoed nearby.

”Oh man...”

Kael looked over.

A young man scratched the back of his head while laughing awkwardly.

Messy brown hair, bright green eyes, and freckles.

Exactly as Kael remembered.

Elias Rowan.

”I was hoping for someone stronger.”

His eyes suddenly met Kael’s.

”...Ah.”

An awkward silence followed. Realizing his words might have sounded rude, Elias hurried over.

”Sorry! I didn’t mean...”

Kael smiled faintly.

”It’s alright.”

Elias rubbed the back of his neck.

”I guess we’re teammates. I’m Elias.”

”I know.”

Elias blinked.

”...You know me?”

”...The roster.” Kael smoothly corrected himself. ”I just read it.”

”Oh.”

Elias laughed sheepishly.

For some reason, Kael felt strangely nostalgic.

This cheerful archer had died so early in the original story that players never learned much about him.

Yet seeing him alive made Kael realise once again that this world was real.

”I’m Kael.” He also introduced himself.

Elias nodded.

Several minutes later, another student approached.

She possessed shoulder length chestnut hair tied into a small ponytail. Round glasses rested upon her delicate face. She nervously adjusted them before speaking.

”I... I’m Mira. I hope we work well together.”

Her voice was so soft that Kael almost missed it.

Just as in the game, she disliked drawing attention to herself.

Finally, heavy footsteps approached.

A tall young man carrying an enormous practice sword stopped before them.

”So. I got stuck with you three.” His deep voice sounded gruff.

Darius Holt.

He crossed his arms.

”I don’t care who’s strong or weak. As long as nobody runs away. I hate cowards.”

Kael extended his hand.

”Let’s survive.”

Darius stared at him for several seconds.

Then...

He firmly shook it.

”Agreed.”

Elias enthusiastically joined.

”So that’s settled!”

Mira hesitated before placing her own hand on top.

The four teammates looked at one another. The original Kael barely spoke to any of them. And exactly because of that their team never developed any real friendship.

This time, things would be different.

...

After the assembly ended, every team received a list of required equipment. Students immediately rushed toward the academy market.

Items such as Food, Medicine, Camping supplies, Emergency flares, and Maps, were in the list.

Kael studied the list.

Then quietly folded it.

”I already know what we need.”

More importantly, he knew what everyone else would overlook.

The Emerald Forest wasn’t merely filled with magical beasts. Hidden throughout its vast landscape were forgotten ruins, abandoned shrines, and secret passages.

Most students would focus entirely on survival.

Kael intended to use the examination as an opportunity.

The Moonlit Catacombs and the Lunar Sigil.

And perhaps...

Several treasures the original protagonist had yet to discover. His greatest advantage remained information. He had to exploit it before the future changed too drastically.

...

That afternoon...

Kael visited the academy’s general store. Unlike the luxurious weapon shops favored by noble students, this modest store sold inexpensive supplies.

A middle aged merchant greeted him.

”What can I get for you?”

Kael glanced around.

He saw ropes, torches, waterskins, small knives, and other basic camping gear.

Everything looked ordinary.

Until...

He noticed a dusty wooden box beneath one shelf. Exactly where he remembered it. Inside rested dozens of rusty metal stakes. Most students ignored them. They appeared completely useless.

The merchant noticed his gaze.

”Oh? Those? They’re leftovers from years ago. You can have the whole bundle for almost nothing.”

Kael smiled.

”I’ll take them.”

The merchant looked pleasantly surprised.

”Really? They’re pretty old.”

”I don’t mind.”

He quietly paid.

Some students who saw Kael, looked at him as if he was an idiot.

”He wasted money on that?”

”Well, his family is rich. Let him waste whatever money he has.”

Some students nearby commented.

What neither the merchant nor the surrounding students knew was that those stakes weren’t ordinary iron. They were forged from Moonsteel. Time and rust concealed their true appearance. Inside the Moonlit Catacombs, ordinary weapons would gradually lose effectiveness because of the dungeon’s strange curse. Moonsteel remained completely unaffected.

Players only discovered this years later after analyzing hidden item descriptions.

To everyone else, Kael had just wasted money on junk. But to him, he had acquired another priceless advantage.

...

As evening approached...

Kael returned to his dormitory carrying his supplies. He had barely stepped inside when someone knocked. Three calm knocks. Wasn’t a hurried kind or aggressive.

Kael opened the door. Standing outside was unexpectedly Seraphina Eversnow. Several nearby students immediately froze when they noticed her.

”The Ice Princess?”

”She’s visiting Kael?”

”Am I dreaming?”

Kael himself was equally surprised. Why did this Seraphina suddenly come to his dormitory?

”...Can I help you?”

Seraphina looked directly into his eyes.

”I heard we’re using the same eastern training grounds tomorrow.” She held out a folded piece of paper. ”I borrowed this from the library. I think you’ll find it useful.”

Although puzzled by her behavior, Kael accepted it.

It was a copied manuscript discussing ancient breathing patterns used by early swordsmen.

His heart skipped a beat.

”I’ve read your movements twice now,” Seraphina said quietly. ”They resemble fragments mentioned in old historical texts. I don’t know where you learned them. But...” she paused briefly. ”I don’t think you’re walking the wrong path.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.

Leaving behind dozens of stunned students.

Kael slowly looked down at the manuscript in his hand. He couldn’t help smiling wryly.

”So... The first heroine has stepped off her original route.”

Far away, inside the highest tower overlooking Astral Dominion Academy, Professor Magnus watched the entire exchange through a crystal window.

His brows slowly furrowed.

”Seraphina Eversnow...”

”... she usually doesn’t approach people without reason.”

He looked toward Kael’s dormitory. His gaze carried curiosity.