Boring Slaughterhause

Memories of time spent with his sister flooded Merlin's mind, making it almost impossible to think straight.

Childhood memories. Recent memories. Pleasant and unpleasant ones. And at the center of it all—Victoria Everhart.

His older sister. Practically his twin, despite the lack of actual twinhood. They were nearly identical, from their long black hair to the striking golden eyes that shimmered like treasure hoards.

"So, how was your first day, little bro?"

Victoria was special—not in the way others might think. She had no talent. Not even a single star.

In other words, she was what people called a baseline—someone born without an affinity, unable to wield mana, completely and utterly average. Because of that, the academy was never an option for her.

'She wasn't mentioned in the novel. That means she was even below that of an extra.'

"Not bad," Merlin replied with an easy smile.

Victoria returned the gesture, taking a sip from her glass of water. "And the entrance tests?"

"Endurance test—second place. Strength test—tied for first. The final test—I ranked first."

His words were casual, but the reaction he got wasn't.

Victoria had just taken another sip, and upon processing what he said, she immediately spat her drink out like a human fountain—directly onto Merlin's clothes.

"…"

Merlin closed his eyes. Breathed in. Breathed out. This was fine. This was absolutely fine. He wasn't going to curse. He wasn't going to flip the table. He wasn't—

"You're not joking?" Victoria's voice wavered slightly.

"No," Merlin replied, still standing in place, dripping wet. "I am not joking."

"Uh—wait here."

His sister bolted out of the room, presumably for a towel, while he stood there in silence, contemplating his life choices.

A minute later, she returned, shoving a large, black woolen towel into his hands. "Here."

"Thanks."

Merlin wiped himself off, muttering under his breath. "I need to change."

"Y-Yeah, of course."

She tried to look innocent. He didn't buy it.

'Maybe getting burned alive by Vivienne's flames during training would've been better than this.'

Sighing, he walked to his room, grabbed a change of clothes, and went for something simple—a black sweater and gray sweatpants. But something felt off.

He rolled up the sleeves of his sweater.

'That's better.'

Back in the living room, Victoria still had that angelic, guilt-free smile plastered on her face.

"So, you're officially the number one first-year?"

"For now. Who knows what'll happen later?" Merlin shrugged, as if it didn't matter. Because, well, it didn't.

"What do you mean?" Victoria tilted her head.

"Dear sister, rankings mean nothing. In the academy, strength is the only thing that matters."

Merlin spoke as if he'd been there for years. His knowledge, thanks to the novel, made it easy.

"You know Mom and Dad would be proud of you… I'm proud of you, too."

She stepped closer and pulled him into a hug.

The moment she mentioned Mom and Dad, more memories flooded his mind—ones that weren't originally his.

Laughter. Conversations over dinner. Birthdays spent blowing out candles together.

And then, the funeral.

Two small children standing in front of their parents' graves.

Their lives had been taken in a dungeon break. Hundreds of monsters had escaped, and they had been among the casualties.

Merlin returned the hug, his voice softer now. "Yeah… I know."

He wasn't the sentimental type, but even he could admit it was tragic. 

'Losing parents at such a young age—no kid should go through that.'

Victoria pulled away, wiping at her eyes—though they weren't teary. "I should head to bed. I have work in the morning."

She ruffled his hair, an affectionate gesture. Even though she was only eighteen, she had already taken on so many responsibilities.

'Yet another reason to get stronger.'

"Doubt we'll see each other in the morning, but take care." She waved and headed to her room, leaving Merlin alone.

"You too."

Once she was gone, Merlin checked his phone. 'That late already? Time flew by.'

Sighing, he entered his room, laying down on his bed. The soft velvet sheets tried to lure him into sleep, but there was a problem—he wasn't even remotely tired.

'This is going to be annoying.'

Or maybe not. An idea sparked in his mind.

'System. Training menu.'

[Training (Daily) Currently available.]

[Would you like to proceed with the training? Y/N]

It was time to see what this whole training was about.

'Yes.'

The moment he confirmed, his vision went black. It felt like he had fallen into unconsciousness, but his mind remained alert.

'So, it pulls my consciousness somewhere else?'

A sudden burst of white light hit him—so blinding it felt like getting flashbanged in a game.

Then, the sensation of grass beneath him. A crisp, fresh scent in the air, as if the field had just been mowed.

[Please choose the weapon you wish to use.]

'Choose? But there's nothing here to choose from..'

[Please choose the weapon you wish to use.]

'…Fine. A rapier.'

A sword materialized beside him, embedded in the ground.

Sleek. Elegant. The hilt featured a guard to protect his fingers, with a white knuckle guard curving around the grip.

It wasn't overly long, but it exuded finesse. A true duelist's weapon.

'Fits perfectly.'

[Wave 1]

'Wait. Wave 1?'

A portal ripped open about fifty meters ahead—massive, towering over the field.

'The hell kind of training is this?'

Before he could even process it, monsters started emerging from the rift.

'Goblins?'

Merlin recognized them instantly. Their grotesque, green bodies, sharp teeth, and crude weapons—it was the same depiction from countless anime and games.

'Could this be any more cliché?'

The goblins snarled, brandishing their blades as they advanced toward him.

'Guess this is as good a time as any to test the rapier.'

Merlin took a step forward, trying to gauge his footing. He wasn't entirely confident in his swordplay, but ten goblins shouldn't be too difficult.

Right?

One of the creatures lunged, and Merlin swung—only to miss completely.

'…Are you serious?'

He activated his wind affinity, using a burst of speed to dodge before the goblin's blade could reach him.

'No way I'm this bad. The system literally said I am a swordsman as well… and I can't even land a hit?'

A smirk crept onto his lips. The goblins hesitated, watching him warily.

'Alright. Again.'

Merlin rushed forward, this time he used his space affinits to press down on the goblin. The creature's dagger trembled in its grip.

'Sorry, not sorry.'

He used the wind to accelerate—appearing right in front of the goblin. Its eyes widened in terror. It tried to swing—

'Too late.'

With a swift, clean motion, Merlin sliced through its neck.

'Not bad.'

Black blood sprayed as the goblin's head tumbled to the ground. Its lifeless body collapsed right after.

The sight made his stomach churn. His hands clenched around the rapier.

"Disgusting."

Merlin's brow twitched.

"You disgusting little rats."

His voice was cold, but his lips curled into a shaky grin—one that sent shivers down even a goblin's ugly green spine.

The little monsters hesitated, confused for half a second. Then, instinct kicked in, and they all rushed him, their shrill screeches filling the air.

Merlin?

He spread his arms wide, as if welcoming them into a warm embrace.

'How generous of them to line up and die for me.'

He moved, weaving through them with the wind's grace. A thrust—one down. A slash—two more. It was almost too easy. Goblin bodies hit the dirt one after another, their black blood soaking into the grass.

He wasn't particularly fast. If anything, compared to someone like Vivienne, he was slow. But against goblins?

They might as well have been standing still.

One of them mustered some courage and lunged at him.

'Cute.'

Merlin barely flicked his wrist—

[Trickster's Reflex]

—And the goblin missed, its dagger stabbing empty air. He stepped back, letting it believe he was retreating.

It charged, eager to take advantage of his 'mistake'—only to stop dead as Merlin reappeared behind it.

A moment later, its head popped off like a cork.

The remaining goblins barely had time to process the slaughter before their numbers dwindled to two.

Those two, unlike the others, didn't attack. Instead, they dropped their weapons, fell to their knees, and started bowing.

'…Huh? The fuck are they doing?'

Merlin frowned.

"At least try to die with some dignity."

Two clean strikes later, they were gone.

'Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.'

[Training Completed!]

[Rewards]

+1 Strength

+2 Agility

[Hidden Quest Completed – Don't Get Hit!]

[Reward]

+1 Selectable Skill

Merlin blinked.

'A hidden quest? Damn, I'm actually cracked at this.'

He wiped some blood off his face.

And then—everything went dark.

When he opened his eyes again, he was back in bed.

He glanced at his phone.

Only thirty minutes had passed.

'So… I just lived through a bloodbath, and it hasn't even been an hour?'

Merlin exhaled.

'Alright, let's see what skill I get this time.'

Cracking his neck, he pulled up the reward screen. Excitement evident on his face.