How To Survive Clichés

Chapter 7

When does the apocalypse scenario for this dimension begin? Coincidentally, it starts with the practical training. During this training, a sudden release of dark power causes students to be swept away and killed, and the summoned monstrous beasts go berserk, attacking the remaining students. This is the first destruction scenario for this dimension.

So who is releasing this dark power? Someone who not only leads many students to death but also causes several second-year noble students to die instantly after teleporting to the Blue Abyss Tower. The culprit is right in front of me.

With long hair that cascades to her waist, a blend of snow-white and warm pink, and mystical pink eyes, she is the only commoner among the students of the Blue Abyss Tower. This is Ian, who will later be known as the “Fallen Spirit Mage.”

Of course, there is no immediate danger. At the moment, Ian is cowering with a frightened expression, probably contemplating whether to return to her room with that small head of hers. After all, she is ostracized both inside and outside the tower.

Internally, she is labeled as a “commoner who cannot even handle spirits,” and externally, she is viewed as a “commoner who cannot handle spirits.”

Ice and fire. When she first enrolled, her contract with the two high-level spirits drew public attention. However, despite her reputation, she couldn’t summon the spirits. In a school that evaluates and ranks students purely on their abilities, she was merely an obstacle to her peers during a sensitive period.

“Without spirits, she shows no special talent or prominence.”

Furthermore, due to Professor Morax’s harsh evaluations, she is currently repeating the first-year classes. She likely came to the training room now to avoid the noble students who used to torment her.

Despite her efforts, she ultimately fails to properly handle the spirits. Gradually consumed by darkness, she is eventually entirely overtaken by it during practical training, earning her the nickname “Fallen Spirit Mage.”

From then on, her previously relatively peaceful life begins to fracture, and the mental state of Yoo Suho, another character, starts to deteriorate. This marks the beginning of the full-scale apocalypse scenario.

I don’t plan to directly intervene in the novel’s plot. But what if Yoo Suho, like in the third and fourth dimensions, abandons this dimension?

…I don’t know what might happen to me. The end of a dimension without Yoo Suho always ends the same way. It vanishes into dust as if it had never existed. So, even if I survive by removing all the clichés, it would be pointless if Yoo Suho doesn’t prevent the apocalypse. Besides, unlike Yoo Suho, I can’t travel between dimensions.

I can’t afford to give up easily. Therefore, I must eliminate any risks. I need to destroy clichés and help prevent the destruction.

*‘I’m in a tight spot.’*

Looking at the clock on the door, there were about 3 minutes left until 10 o’clock. Ian was now standing awkwardly on the opposite side. After hesitating for a while, she seemed to decide to enter the training room.

An awkward atmosphere lingered in the hallway. In the silence, I could feel Ian glancing my way nervously. The problem was…

She was glancing so openly that our eyes met.

*‘She must have heard the rumors.’*

I saw her face turn pale in real-time. Unable to avoid the situation, I nodded first. Her eyes widened, and she bowed much more deeply than I had.

*‘…It doesn’t seem to be a big problem for now.’*

While she appears okay on the outside, it’s hard to know her true feelings. It would be nice to know her exact state.

At that moment, a popup window appeared before my eyes.

[Characteristic Skill: Status viewing of characters is available.]

“……!”

The status window suddenly appeared before me.

[Status Window]
– Name: Ian
– Mana: A+
– Stamina: D-
– Strength: C-
– Agility: A
– Intelligence: B-
– Talent: Spirit Magic (EX)
– Trait: Spirit Mage
– Ultimate Goal: Overcome Anxiety
If the increasingly severe anxiety disorder (self-loathing, lack of self-esteem, anxiety, etc.) is not overcome, all stats will decrease and she will be unable to handle the spirits she has contracted.
* Spirit Affinity Seal
* Current Anxiety Level: Stage 3 (3/4)

*‘How kind of it.’*

…By the way, did the reincarnation trait have such a skill? Occasionally, traits are given talents or skills, but Damian’s talent is blank. Moreover, the reincarnation trait did not appear in the original work.

I didn’t understand what was happening. If I had known, I might have understood why I was in the novel. I decided to give up trying to figure it out and continued reading the status window.

Seeing the ultimate goal, I frowned.

‘Anxiety Disorder.’

If I remember correctly, relationships with spirits are built on trust and belief. But if she doesn’t even trust herself, she won’t be able to handle the spirits properly. That must be the cause.

When reading the novel, I only guessed it was due to the harassment from others, but I never thought she had an anxiety disorder.

‘And it’s already at Stage 3.’

According to the plot, she will go berserk during practical training. That means her anxiety level will continue to rise.

‘Can’t it be lowered?’

The practical training has the cliché of a magic range disaster. With the current uncertainty of what might happen if she fails, I needed to quickly approach Yoo Suho.

Turning my head, I checked the time and saw it was already 10:04. Time had passed quickly while I was focused on the status window.

I hurried into the training room. Behind me, I saw Ian entering with a distressed look and panting.

*‘I thought she had already entered.’*

At some point, I hadn’t sensed her presence, so I assumed she had either given up and returned to her room or had gone in before me. Since I saw her trying to enter, I couldn’t ignore it, so I held the door open. She let out a sigh of relief and began to catch her breath.

In the meantime, I said, “Good luck with the training,” and moved forward.

* * *

The next day.

I was suffering from severe muscle pain. My body felt heavy, and my head was spinning. I had barely made it back last night, dragging my immobile legs, and as soon as I lay down on the bed, I passed out.

Unlike on Earth, where insomnia was a problem, I could fall asleep immediately upon lying down here, but physical exhaustion made falling asleep a different issue.

“Haah.”

I sighed and checked the status window.

[Status Window]
– Name: Damian Draco (Shinyu Seong)
– Mana: C (Deficient)
– Stamina: E-
– Strength: F+
– Agility: F+
– Intelligence: D
– Talent: –
– Trait: Reincarnate
– Achievements: None
– Ultimate Goal: Survive the Clichés
– Cliché List: Delinquent, Time Limit, Count’s Eldest Son, Magic Disaster, Third-rate Villain, Mana Deficiency, Inferiority Complex, Self-Doubt, Death, ??

I didn’t expect dramatic changes overnight, but there were some improvements. Stamina had risen from F+ to E-, and Strength and Agility were still at F+.

The stats were so low that increasing them would require even more time investment.

‘It can’t be helped.’

I got out of bed and drew back the curtains. Despite the early morning, I saw a few students moving around. Today was the first day of classes.

After a quick wash and changing into my uniform, it automatically adjusted to fit perfectly.

*‘It’s more comfortable than I expected.’*

The material outside felt firm due to the reinforcement magic, but the lining of the uniform was soft and comfortable. As I adjusted the blue tie and looked in the mirror, it hit me.

*‘I’m going back to school.’*

I had decided to drop out at this time on Earth. Here, I had to stay in school no matter what, which made me smile slightly.

I donned the Blue Abyss Tower robe and left the room.

* * *

Square Hall.

First-year classes were all held in the Square Hall. It was an auditorium-style classroom surrounded by tiered seating where students from all towers gathered for lessons.

About 400 students were seated according to their towers. Since I arrived just before the class started, most of the seats were already occupied. I chose an empty spot where I would not stand out too much.

As I settled in and glanced around, I noticed a man with jet-black eyes and hair among the students of the White Guard Tower.

*‘…Yoo Suho.’*

He was staring at the air with a stern expression, his eyes appearing troubled as he seemed to gaze into the void.

*‘The quest involves recruiting allies, right?’*

It was a bit amusing that a recruitment quest appeared six months after moving to this dimension, but the quest details were quite helpfully specifying which individuals Yoo Suho should recruit.

*‘He’s probably reading the names of those individuals right now.’*

However, Yoo Suho had resolved not to undertake the “recruit allies” quest in this dimension, having lost many allies in the past.

*‘I understand why, but Ian’s name is on the list too.’*

When Ian eventually becomes the “Fallen Spirit Mage,” it will be a key moment that shakes Yoo Suho’s mental state.

*‘If only he had completed that quest back then…’*

Just as I was about to check Yoo Suho’s status window before the class began, someone hurriedly ran up and sat next to me.

*“…?”*

It was Ian. When I looked at her with a slightly puzzled expression, her face turned the same color as her eyes and she hunched over the desk, covering it with her long hair.

*‘…Should I move seats?’*

I briefly considered it, but before I could move, the classroom door opened again and the professor entered.

From afar, Tio noticed me, looked pleased, and stood up, but upon seeing the professor, sat back down.

*‘…Better than that guy.’*

Despite the issues, it was preferable to sit next to Ian, who still had a chance of escaping the “Fallen Spirit Mage” fate.

I suppressed a sigh and focused on the front of the room as the professor began speaking.

“Quiet.”

The once noisy atmosphere instantly fell silent.

The first class was taught by Professor Morax.

*‘Professor Morax.’*

Currently one of the most recognized and respected mages on the continent, he was, however, a figure of fear and dread among the students. If anyone fell short of his standards, he would mercilessly deduct points without giving any chance to make up for them. This score was reflected in the ranking, making it very difficult for students who were marked by him to improve their ranks.

The living proof was right next to me.

He walked to the center of the podium and wrote his name in the air with sparks. With a crackling sound, “Morax Rai” appeared in blazing letters.

A few murmurs of admiration emerged from the crowd.

“Professor Morax Rai, who will be teaching Elemental Magic and Combat Magic this semester. My plan is to teach both subjects simultaneously.”

The hall began to buzz with excitement.

Professor Morax surveyed the room and, as if signaling for silence, the room quickly quieted down.

“Before we start the lesson, there is an announcement.”

The students swallowed nervously, listening intently to Professor Morax. Most were anxious about how he might deduct points with his usual harshness.

“From now on, there will be daily tests before combat training, and scores will be given. These scores will apply to all subjects and will be reflected in the mid-term rankings. Students who achieve high scores will have the right to choose who they will battle in combat training.”

The news of daily tests elicited sighs from the students. However, Professor Morax continued unaffected.

“Furthermore, if a student chosen for a battle has a lower score than the one who chose them, they cannot refuse.”

Among the students, only a few had shining eyes at this announcement.

“And if you perform well in the magical combat, you will also have the right to choose the starting area in the practical training.”

I too had my eyes light up.

“Thus, the tests will start today.”