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 woke up feeling like his stomach had been replaced with a nest of very angry snakes. The weight of everything he had to deal with today hit him the moment his eyes opened.

Today was Aldric's test. The final hurdle before he could use Ignis freely in the rearrangement exam. And it was also his last chance to finish studying before the theory portion of the test.

[Morning, genius. Ready to get grilled like a piece of toast?]

Lucien groaned, dragging himself out of bed. "Not helping, system."

[Just setting the mood. You only finished 75% of the Basic Magic Theory syllabus — which is, I remind you, the easy part. You haven't even looked at Advanced Magic Theory yet.]

Lucien rubbed his temples. "I know, I know! I didn't expect this stuff to be harder than quantum physics!"

[You were a study nerd in your past life, remember? Shouldn't this be your playground?]

"That's like saying just because I like swimming, I should be fine getting tossed into the middle of a hurricane."

Sighing, Lucien opened his status screen for a quick check:

Intelligence: 102 (+2)

Strength: 13 (+1)

Agility: 19 (+1)

Endurance: 21 (+1)

Charm: 7 (Still no luck here.)

Luck: 2 (Cursed for life.)

Advanced Magic Theory: Level 5 (+1)

Elemental Control (Fire): Level 3 (+1)

Basic Magic Theory: Level 1 (Finally.)

Swordsmanship: Level 2 (+1)

Persuasion: Level 1 (No comment.)

He stared at his stats, feeling that familiar mix of pride and dread. His progress was decent, but there was still so much left to do. And now Aldric's test was waiting for him like an executioner with a well-sharpened axe.

"Alright, no more stalling," he muttered, getting dressed. "Let's get this over with."

[That's the spirit. March proudly toward your impending doom.]

By the time Lucien arrived at the training grounds, Aldric was already there — of course — looking as stoic and intimidating as ever.

"You're late," Aldric said, his usual greeting.

"Excuses waste time. Summon Ignis."

Lucien took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Come forth — Ignis."

The fire spirit burst into existence in a swirl of flames, spinning through the air with a gleeful cackle. Ignis flickered and danced, clearly excited for whatever was about to happen.

Aldric watched the spirit with that same mix of fascination and wariness. "Today's test is simple. You will demonstrate your ability to control Ignis in battle — against me."

Lucien's heart sank. "...Wait, what?"

Before Lucien could even fully process what was happening, Aldric's hand moved — and a surge of wind magic sent him flying backward.

"Control your spirit," Aldric called out coldly. "Or you will both burn."

Lucien pushed himself up, Ignis crackling angrily beside him. His heart pounded in his chest. This was going to be bad.

"Ignis! Let's go!"

— To Be Continued.

Chapter 33: The Final Test Begins