Chapter 2: ASCC-Chapter 2 The World of Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan (Chivalry Of A Failed Knight)
It feels like a lifetime ago— fifteen years to be exact.
In his previous life, Ryoji was an ordinary otaku, one of the members of the Starting Point World.
Naturally, he lived as a web novel writer, getting by with modest monthly earnings. Despite the low pay, he enjoyed a carefree and free lifestyle.
Until one day, a web page pop-up appeared on his computer screen, an advertisement for some unknown web game, starting with a character creation template.
Unable to close it, and suspecting a virus, he almost gave up on the computer. Yet driven by curiosity, he decided to try the game and created a character template.
The character template had only two major sections: basic ability values and innate skills.
The basic ability values included five categories: Physique, Mind, Magic Power, Charisma, and Luck.
The innate skill options were quite peculiar—not peculiar in the options themselves, but in the icons.
The innate skills had rudimentary icons resembling those crafted by animation artists after four years of study, with no textual descriptions.
He stared at the icons for ten minutes, barely making out around ten symbols, such as sword, bow, spear, fist, foot, hammer, test tube, fishing rod, etc.
Most of the icons were indecipherable, leaving him feeling as if he were looking at a subway station's old phone, almost wanting to give a piece of his mind to the game designer's mother.
It seemed like a life simulation online game virus version, Ryoji thought, and he added a few things out of curiosity.
Then.
Upon waking up, he found himself in a world called *Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan (Chivalry Of A Failed Knight) *.
The questions of why he crossed over upon waking and why he ended up in a 2D world were things he no longer dwelled on.
Rather than wasting time on insoluble or insignificant problems, he focused on adapting to the new world and new life.
This world, while seemingly similar to Earth on the surface, differed greatly in terms of history, culture, and geography.
At its core, this was a world where special ability users dominated.
— *Blazers*.
These are individuals who can manifest their souls as weapons—*Unique Spiritual Items (Devices)*—and use Magic Power to control their special abilities. They are rare, found in one out of thousands.
In ancient times, they were known as *Magic Users* or *Witches*, and their weapons were called *Holy Swords*, *Magic Bows*, *Cursed Armaments*, *Noble Phantasms*, etc.
Today, those who fight using special abilities are generally referred to as *Blazers*.
The weapons they manifest from their souls are called *Unique Spiritual Items (Devices)*.
This is a miraculous power that transcends human limits, beyond the realm of martial arts and weapons.
The existence of Blazers impacts every aspect of society. Modern police, military, and even warfare are all based on Blazers.
**"In this world, everything revolves around Blazers."**
On the train heading to Hagun Academy, Ryoji thought to himself while sitting in his seat.
In his previous life as a web novel writer, he had a fairly comprehensive understanding of this world, but time had worn down his memory. Even though he tried to remember intentionally, his brain had its own way of forgetting.
If Senior Sister hadn't told him about this year's reforms at Hagun Academy, he probably wouldn't have remembered.
However, after living in this world for so many years, he had adapted well and understood the common knowledge of this world.
Blazers possess immense power, and even a powerful Blazer could control time and pose a threat to national-level entities.
But with great power comes great responsibility, leading to the emergence of the *Mage Knight System*.
The *Mage Knight System* means that Blazers must graduate from internationally recognized, specialized Blazer-training institutions and obtain a *Professional Certification* to be considered qualified Mage Knights.
Blazers without certification are not recognized as professional Mage Knights.
Blazers like Senior Sister, who are studying at specialized Blazer-training institutions, are often referred to as *Student Knights*, serving as candidates for Mage Knights.
Blazers like Ryoji, who neither have certification nor are Student Knights, are merely ordinary people from a societal perspective.
His Master had sent him to Hagun Academy to become a true Mage Knight.
In Japan, Hagun Academy is one of the seven *Knight Schools* where you can obtain a Magic Knight certification, provided you graduate successfully.
...
Hagun Academy is located in the Tokyo area of Japan, just an hour's drive from Tokyo International Airport. By noon, the two of them had arrived at the nearest station to Hagun Academy.
This is a rather unremarkable city.
The city's scale is not vast, far from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Although it's modern with many high-rise buildings, it's essentially a third-tier city.
Hagun Academy is situated on the outskirts of this city, in a deep mountain area.
After leaving the station, the two were greeted by a one-kilometer-long uphill road. The road is lined with various plants, and pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a stunning scene.
After about ten minutes, they reached the top of the hill and arrived at the entrance of Hagun Academy.
"Quite spacious,"
Ryoji remarked as he entered the main gate of the academy, looking at the rows of teaching buildings and dormitories on either side.
"Well, it's one of only seven schools in all of Japan, so it's definitely not shabby. In fact, Hagun Academy covers about fifty hectares of land, roughly equivalent to ten Tokyo Domes!"
Senior Sister explained proudly, noting Ryoji's reaction.
Indeed.
Looking out, Hagun Academy was so vast that it seemed endless. The campus was dotted with numerous large buildings, forests, and domed arenas, giving a sense of solitude as if in the city center.
"It seems quite empty."
Ryoji observed as he looked around the main entrance, noting the lack of people.
"There are still a few days before the semester starts, so students and teachers haven't returned yet."
Senior Sister gently patted Ryoji on the shoulder, reminding him, "Let's go. I'll take you to the Director's office to complete your enrollment procedures, and then we'll celebrate."
Ryoji nodded and followed Senior Sister forward.
Upon entering the main gate, there was a tall building directly ahead, more than ten stories high, which stood out in the entire campus. This was the administration building, where the faculty worked.
They entered the administration building and took the elevator to the top floor. Senior Sister stopped in front of the only room on that floor.
*Knock Knock Bang!*
"Come in."
A cool female voice responded from inside after the door was knocked on.
"Excuse me."
Senior Sister opened the door and gestured for Ryoji to follow.
"Director, I'm Toudou Touka. As previously reported, I'd like to complete the enrollment procedures for my Junior Brother. The documents have been sent to your email."
Ryoji silently entered the room and closed the door behind him.
The office was elegantly decorated, with a bright yellow chandelier hanging from the ceiling, expensive carpets on the floor, clean and shiny redwood furniture, and paintings on the walls.
"Student President, since he's your Junior Brother, does that mean he is also a disciple of the God of War?"
A woman dressed in a dark suit, working at her computer, looked up from her desk when the two entered.
Her gaze briefly paused on Ryoji, seeming a bit surprised, before she looked back at the screen and retrieved the email from Toudou Touka.
"Nangou Ryoji? With this surname... He's actually an E-Rank Knight?"
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