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)

Lucien stood in the arena, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest. Across from him stood Aeris Valebrand — the top-ranked first-year and the academy's lightning prodigy. Her silver hair gleamed under the sun, and her cold blue eyes locked onto him with an almost lazy disinterest.

"Let's get this over with," Aeris said, stretching her arms. "I hope you last more than a minute."

"She's beautiful." Ignis sighed dreamily.

Lucien's eye twitched. "Focus!" he hissed under his breath.

The instructor stepped forward. "The rules are simple. No lethal attacks. Fight until one of you yields or is incapacitated. Begin!"

Aeris didn't wait. She raised her hand, and with a crackle of energy, a bolt of lightning streaked toward Lucien. He barely dodged, feeling the heat singe the air behind him.

"WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Ignis shrieked.

[Calm down and think, Lucien! You know she's fast — but lightning magic takes precision and stamina. Make her waste it.]

Lucien darted to the side, avoiding another crackling strike. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one being electrocuted!"

Lucien gritted his teeth and raised his hand, calling on his fire magic. Flames erupted around him — but Aeris was faster. She appeared right in front of him in a burst of speed, electricity sparking around her fist.

"Too slow," she whispered — and punched him square in the stomach.

Lucien went flying, crashing into the dirt.

Lucien groaned, pushing himself up. Aeris tilted her head. "Still conscious? I'm impressed."

"I'm… not done yet," Lucien panted. He summoned more flames, trying to shape them into something — anything — useful. But Aeris was already moving again, lightning dancing around her.

[Lucien, listen! Use the environment — make her chase you and wear herself out!]

Lucien's eyes lit up. That was it. He dashed toward the edge of the arena, forcing Aeris to pursue him. She fired bolt after bolt, each one missing by inches as he twisted and turned.

"Stop running!" Aeris snapped, frustration creeping into her voice.

"Why?" Lucien grinned. "You're doing great cardio!"

[Bold words for someone seconds away from getting fried.]

But his plan was working — Aeris's movements were getting just a little slower, her attacks a little less precise. He just had to keep going—

A bolt of lightning slammed into the ground in front of him, and the shockwave knocked him off his feet. Before he could recover, Aeris was there, her hand crackling with energy as she reached for him.

"I win," she said — but Lucien wasn't done yet.

He grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it at her face.

"What the—?!" Aeris stumbled back, coughing and wiping her eyes.

[That was the dirtiest move I've ever seen.]

Lucien took the chance. He charged forward, flames surging around his fist—

But Aeris recovered too fast. Electricity surged around her, and with one swift motion, she sent a wave of lightning crashing into him.

Pain exploded through Lucien's body, and his vision went dark. The last thing he heard was Ignis screaming,

"I TOLD YOU SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL!"

Sparks and Strategy