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 pounding on the door grew louder.

"Lucien von Zephyr! Open this door at once!"

Lucien glanced at Ignis, the tiny flame spirit hovering near his shoulder. "You wouldn't happen to know a good hiding spot, would you?"

[Oh, fantastic. We've bonded with a pyromaniac.]

Lucien opened the window, considering his options. Jumping out… again… would probably raise more questions than answers. And he was still sore from his last "graceful" escape.

The door rattled. "I'm coming in!"

With no other choice, Lucien shoved Ignis under his blanket. "Stay quiet!"

"I am not a pet!" the spirit protested, but the blanket muffled the sound.

The door burst open, and in stormed Professor Aldric — the sternest, most terrifying teacher in the academy. His sharp eyes swept the room, pausing on the scorch marks on the walls and floor.

"What. Happened. Here?" Aldric's voice was dangerously calm.

Lucien's mind spun for an excuse. "Uh… experimental magic?"

Aldric's eyebrow twitched. "Experimental… fire magic?"

[Oh wow, that's convincing. He'll never suspect a thing.]

Lucien shot a mental glare at the system. "Yes! I was… testing my limits!"

Aldric's eyes narrowed. "And what limits were you testing that required setting your room on fire?"

Before Lucien could answer, the blanket behind him shifted. A small flicker of flame peeked out.

Aldric's eyes locked onto it immediately. "What is that?"

Lucien whipped around, trying to block the view. "Nothing! Just—just a candle!"

Ignis's eyes glowed from under the blanket. "I am no candle!"

Aldric's face went pale. "That… that's a spirit!"

Lucien sighed. "Okay, yes, but hear me out—"

"No!" Aldric's voice was firm. "Spirits are dangerous and forbidden without proper summoning permits! Where did you even find such a thing?"

Aldric looked like he was about to faint. "Of course. The library." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Come with me, Lucien. We're going to see the headmaster."

[You're making so many new friends today.]

As they walked through the academy halls, students stared and whispered. Lucien kept his head down, Ignis floating just behind him.

"I feel no respect here," the spirit grumbled.

Lucien fought the urge to groan. This was getting out of hand. And he had a feeling it was only going to get worse.

Caught in the Act