I Killed The Main Characters

The classroom was abuzz with activity as the second-year students whispered among themselves.

Their conversations ranging from idle gossip to speculation about the mid-term exams.

Noah Ashbourne sat at his desk near the back, his gaze distant as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

The professor at the front, an older man with a stern face and graying hair, tapped his desk to gather everyone's attention.

"Quiet down."

He said, his voice slicing through the chatter.

"I have an important announcement regarding your mid-term exams this year."

The murmurs subsided, and the students sat straighter, their interest piqued.

Noah's eyes flickered toward the front, though his expression remained neutral.

"This year, your mid-term exams will not follow the usual format..." the professor began.

"...Instead, they will be a joint exercise with the first-year students."

At that, the room erupted into exclamations and hurried whispers.

"Joint exams with the first years? What's the point of that?"

A boy near the front scoffed.

"How are they supposed to keep up with us?"

Another added.

"Are we babysitting now?"

A girl chimed in, rolling her eyes.

Noah's lips curved into a faint smirk as he observed the reactions around him.

Typical.

The arrogance of the second years was on full display, as expected.

He said nothing, instead letting his thoughts drift as the professor continued.

"The purpose of this arrangement is to test your ability to work with others of different skill levels."

The professor explained, ignoring the interruptions.

"This will not be an individual exam.

You will be placed in teams of four—two second years and two first years.

The exam will take place in the Eastern Forest and will last one week."

Another wave of murmurs swept through the class.

"A whole week in the forest? Are they serious?"

"We're supposed to survive with first years? What a joke."

The professor's patience was wearing thin.

"Silence."

He barked, and the room fell quiet once more.

"This exam will test more than your magical and combat abilities.

It will test your resourcefulness, your teamwork, and your ability to make strategic decisions under pressure.

You will set up camps, gather resources, and complete objectives to earn points.

Each team will also be given a flag, which you must protect while attempting to steal flags from other teams.

Betrayal will be a constant risk.

Trust carefully."

Noah's smirk widened at that last part.

'Trust carefully, indeed.'Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He leaned his chin on his hand, his mind already racing.

'The joint mid-term exams.

Was it already time?'

He thought.

He sifted through the memories of the novel route—the world he was now a part of.

According to those memories, most of the major characters would have already made their appearances, especially after the cemetery incident.

That meant Elias and Roselyn, key figures in the narrative, were likely stepping into the spotlight now.

And the princess—Elara—was no doubt beginning to grow fond of Draven, the protagonist.

Roselyn, too.

Noah's eyes narrowed as he thought about Draven. The so-called hero of this novel.

"Hmm..."

He muttered under his breath.

"The joint mid-terms… That means it's the second episode, doesn't it?

[The Puppet Show]."

The name of the arc sent a flicker of recognition through him.

He couldn't help but marvel at the differences between the novel route and the game he had once been a veteran of.

The story had shifted, deviating in ways he hadn't entirely anticipated.

Some things were the same, but others... not so much.

At least for now, things were smoother.

Easier.

He was able to improve himself behind the scenes without drawing too much attention.

Students feared him, and even professors treated him with a wary respect.

His curse, [Cold Embrace], had birthed a myriad of wild rumors, each more ludicrous than the last.

One rumor claimed that speaking ill of him would cause one's tongue to freeze and shatter.

Another suggested that he could summon a blizzard with a single thought.

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Noah had heard them all, and they never failed to amuse him.

A quiet chuckle escaped his lips, drawing a few curious glances from nearby students.

He ignored them.

When he had first fallen into the novel route, he had resigned himself to the fact that certain episodes weren't meant for him.

They were designed to showcase Draven and the other main characters, to push the story and plot forward.

Even if he tried to interfere, he wouldn't earn [plot points] anyway.

The upcoming episode, [The Puppet Show], was one such instance.

"Well..."

Noah muttered to himself.

"...it'll be up to Draven, I suppose."

The professor continued outlining the details of the exam, but Noah's focus was elsewhere.

For now, his priorities were clear.

Researching the intricacies of his curse and refining his skills were at the top of the list.

Swordsmanship, in particular, needed attention.

But therein lay a problem—he didn't have a sword instructor.

Noah sighed, the thought making him cringe internally.

The very idea of walking into the Knight Department and requesting a mentor was abhorrent.

As a prideful noble, it grated against his sensibilities in ways he couldn't even begin to describe.

But without guidance, he wouldn't progress.

Finding a sword instructor was becoming a necessity, even if it meant swallowing his pride.

His thoughts drifted back to the second episode.

[The Puppet Show].

He could still recall the details of it from the novel route.

It was a pivotal moment for Draven and the other key players.

A flicker of an image surfaced in his mind—a student with striking blue hair and piercing blue eyes.

Noah frowned, his fingers drumming lightly against his desk.

That particular character would play a crucial role in the upcoming episode.

"Should I just get involved?"

He mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Even without rewards from the system in return?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered.

He wasn't sure if he was truly asking himself or merely voicing a passing thought.

Either way, the uncertainty lingered, pulling him deeper into contemplation.

The professor's voice droned on in the background, but Noah was no longer listening.

His thoughts were a maze of possibilities, each path leading to outcomes he couldn't fully predict.

For now, he decided, '...research and training will have to suffice.'

But even as he resolved to focus on his own goals, the temptation to interfere with the narrative gnawed at the edges of his mind.

After all, who better to turn the tide of the story than someone who already knew how it was supposed to end?