NXT_MARVEL

Our MC was an extreme introvert in his past life — a bookworm who avoided people like the plague, focused only on his studies, and had zero interest in anime, games, or romance. The only time he ever touched anime was when his one and only friend forced him to watch a single episode of some fantasy academy drama — and he hated every second of it.
So when he wakes up in an unfamiliar, lavish room and finds himself in the body of Lucien von Zephyr— a rich, handsome academy student — things seem… pretty okay. That is, until memory floods in and he realizes who  Lucien is: the pervy, obsessive side character doomed to die in Episode 7 for going too far with the main heroine!

Survive the Death Flag! (Or Die a Simp)

The flames surged higher, and the heat grew almost unbearable. Lucien stood his ground, sweat running down his face as the crimson eyes within the fire stared him down.

"You are either brave… or foolish," the spirit's voice thundered. "Why have you called me forth, mortal?"

Lucien kept his voice steady. "I seek power. Your power. I am Lucien von Zephyr, and I will not leave here without it."

[Great. We're negotiating with sentient fire. I'm sure this'll end well.]

The spirit's laughter crackled like a wildfire. "Power must be earned, mortal. If you desire my strength, you must pass my trial. Or…" The flames flared. "You will be consumed."

Without warning, the fire spirit shot forward. Flames erupted from the circle, and Lucien barely dodged to the side, the heat searing his skin. He gritted his teeth.

[Okay, I take back everything I said. This was a TERRIBLE idea.]

Lucien reached for his own fire magic, summoning a blazing arc of flame and hurling it toward the spirit. But the attack was useless — the spirit absorbed it, the fire only making it stronger.

"Is this the extent of your power? Pathetic!"

The spirit retaliated, sending a wave of fire crashing toward Lucien. He dove behind his bed just as the flames scorched the ground. The system's voice rang out in his mind.

[Hey, genius! Stop throwing fire at the literal fire spirit!]

[You have a book written by a legendary summoner, maybe TRY READING IT?]

Lucien's eyes snapped to the open book on his desk. He rolled across the floor, narrowly avoiding another burst of flame, and grabbed the book. Flipping through the pages, he found a section on spirit binding.

"To tame a spirit, one must assert their will. Command, dominate, and never falter — for hesitation invites death."

Lucien swallowed hard. "No pressure."

[Oh, none at all. Just your life on the line.]

He stood up, raising his hand toward the spirit. "I am Lucien von Zephyr! By my will, I command you—kneel!"

The spirit roared in defiance, sending another wave of fire. Lucien held his ground. The flames reached him—

The fire swirled around him, but it didn't burn. The spirit's eyes narrowed.

Lucien took a step forward. "I dare."

He poured every ounce of willpower into his voice. "I called you here, and I will not be defeated. You will obey me!"

For a moment, the firestorm raged. The spirit's form writhed within the inferno—then slowly, the flames began to die down. The crimson eyes dimmed, and the spirit's shape grew smaller until it hovered before him: a small, flickering flame with glowing eyes.

"You have… potential," the spirit said grudgingly. "Very well. I am Ignis. From this day forth, my fire is yours to command."

Lucien let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "We did it."

[Correction: YOU did it. I just provided moral support.]

But Lucien's victory was short-lived. There was a pounding at the door, followed by an angry voice.

"Lucien von Zephyr! What in the world is going on in there?!"

Lucien winced. "Oh… right. The whole fire tornado thing."

[Yeah, you might wanna start running.]

The Spirit’s Trial