I woke up with a lame sigh, my heart hammering in my chest.
"Ugh…what the…"
Great. Just amazing.
My sheets were tangled around my legs like some kind of trap, and my hair was plastered to my face in a horrifyingly sticky knot. I yanked the covers off and blinked at the ceiling, letting out another tired sigh.
'Okay, Han Joon-ho. Calm down. You survived the night. That's… progress,' I told myself, though it didn't really feel like progress.
Because, technically, I hadn't done anything at all. Not a single useful thing. I'd just lain there, staring at the ceiling, obsessing over every possible death scenario. A mega spell that could explode in my face. Or a magical chandelier could collapse and squash me. You never knew in this world, magic wasn't exactly safe.
I shoved those thoughts aside. Legs dangling over the edge of the bed, I remembered something that, somehow, made me feel a little safer.
The magic orb test.
Yes. That ridiculous in-game test that supposedly revealed your soul attribute. Basically, like MBTI but with magic. It showed your personality, strengths, weaknesses, emotional tendencies, and other stuff I couldn't remember. In theory, you could even predict your life trajectory from it, though honestly, that felt cliché as hell.
In this game, the attributes were elemental.
Water, fire, air, earth, light, darkness. There were subtypes, but those were uncommon, only a dozen of people through history had those. And as far as I could tell, nobody ever had two main attributes, except for Elinor. I skipped over why that mattered so much, damn me.
The other three male leads had unique attributes, too. That was going to make today… fussy.
'This might actually be an opportunity,' I thought, almost smiling. 'The four weirdos will probably draw everyone's attention. I won't have to join them. I get to explore this world...peacefully.'
I had never cared about anything outside of romance arcs in the game, but, to be fair, nothing much outside of it had ever been mentioned, so…it's not entirely my fault.
Truthfully, I still kind of regret ignoring it.
A shaky breath left me as the maid bustled in, trailing the smell of lavender and soap. She took one look at me, raised her eyebrows, and started humming while helping me wash and dress.
The warm water was comforting, a little. Not enough to erase my anxiety, but it loosened my stiff muscles at least. As the soap slid down my arms, I reminded myself of one tiny, semi-reassuring fact: according to the official developer notes, Atlas was originally an air attribute.
'Air… adaptable, right?' I murmured to myself. That was good. Especially since that's what I gotta do to survive.
After what felt like an eternity of scrubbing, changing, and silently praying to every vaguely competent deity I could remember, I stepped out of my room, down the marble staircase, and into the breakfast room.
'Huh? Why are they all here today?!' I thought, frowning. 'Yesterday, they blessed me with their absence.'
I looked down at the spread of food, the only real comfort in the morning: cake, cookies, juice. My stomach rumbled. Honestly, this couldn't be healthy. Were bodies in this world just immune to diabetes?
It looked too good to resist anyway.
"Dear students," a voice rang out, "I, Darcandon Bentish, welcome you all today."
Couldn't I eat in peace for once?
This dude, I remember him from the game, Darcardon Bentsh, one cunning bastard.
He wasn't particularly relevant but, he was undoubtedly sly. Especially since he's currently the student with the best grades, one of the academy representatives and the son of an influential Marquis.
He was also Sybille's tutor for a while, because of him even some juicy jealousy arc started.
'Maybe I should make him my tutor instead,' I thought with a small smirk.
"So, with great pleasure, I'll lead you all to the Great Hall!"
Huh? Wait…my breakfast! Why was I staring like an idiot instead of eating? I grabbed a few cookies and shoved them in my mouth as I got up.
The walk to the Great Hall was crowded and annoying.
'So crowded… we're not in middle school—!' As someone crashed against me, I slightly stumbled back.
Suddenly, my shoulders stiffened.
"Lord Atlas, are you alright?"
This voice…
"Yes, of course, thanks for your concern, Your Grace. You can let go."
"It was nothing."
…?
Dude, I thanked you already, why are you still right behind me?
"Lord Atlas, aren't you excited to discover your attribute?" Someone else spoke, they felt oddly close to my side.
And, of course, he's wearing a white uniform.
"Ah, Lord Elinor...of course, I'm excited." I attempted to look at him with a smile.
'Why the hell are these two even around me? Piss off for once... well, later there'll be a fuss because of their attributes, so I shouldn't worry about them speaking to me for long.'
Chills ran down my spine.
"What do you think you're going to get?"
Ha?
"I don't know. You can't exactly guess something like that."
My head felt like it was being drawn to those unsettling yellow eyes.
"What about me, then? What do you think I'll get—"
"Please, take your seats!" Darcandon's voice cut through the tension.
My opportunity!
As I forced myself to look like I was being caught in the crowd, I sat between, in front and next completely random people.
'Goodness, I'm finally free again.'
"Now, at the stand, I'll call each of you to see your attributes." Darcandon held a list. "Lady Abelia Finel, please come forward."
Finally, it was starting.
"You'll place your hand on the orb," he explained. "It will help you enter a state where your kinetic attribute will reveal itself."
Right. Elemental powers here were called kinetic energy.
The girl stepped forward, hand trembling as she touched the orb. Her eyes closed, and she waited. Minutes passed, and then, tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Lady Abelia, your attribute is water. You have an affinity with healing, weather, and all forms of water. Your greatest virtue is empathy. Congratulations."
Applause filled the room as she returned to her seat.
Will he describe everyone so thoroughly? I wonder. There's so many students; this is going to take ages.
***
"His Imperial Highness, Lord Lucien Aurelias, please stand here."
That name probably triggered some kind of PTSD, since I immediately snapped out of my nap.
'Seriously, isn't his summoning…different? That's what you call a nepo baby.'
Lucien's hand hit the orb with confidence. Not a single doubt in his expression. Minutes passed, nothing happened.
'Well, subtypes usually take longer…'
Then, suddenly, a burst of energy shot from his hand. Fire erupted. Lightning crackled.
This happened way faster than expected, though?
The students stared, awestruck.
"Your Imperial Highness, you have the attributes of fire and lightning. You have an affinity for transfiguration, conjuring, and control over heat. Your greatest virtue is ambition."
Everyone screamed words of admiration, clapping loudly.
He looked at them unfazed, like a sun naturally radiating light, which made me immediately want to hide under the chair.
'Given that subtype, you should also include that he's impulsive. He probably didn't mention it because that's not a virtue...'
There was a nasty row after Lucien.
Next was Cassian.
The air suddenly shifted as soon as he touched the ball, everything became dark, it poured into the room like a wave.
'Yeah, I know why. He can't control his power yet... Cassian, get ahold of yourself fast, it's a little unsettling to see all black, I must admit.'
After a tense moment, light returned.
?? Why so fast?
"Lord Nucturne, you have the attributes of darkness and blackwall. Your affinities are enchantment, illusions, and teratology. Your greatest virtue is patience."
"I can't believe it, we have two students with a subtype attribute! This is unprecedented!"
Just you wait, it won't be just two in the next hour...
Rowan was right after. Up until now, he was an unnoticeable commoner who rose to this position by pure luck.
'But now, you won't be remembered like that anymore.'
"Lord Rowan, your attributes are earth and sand. You have an affinity with magibotany, healing, and enchantment. Your greatest virtue is protectiveness."
Protective? That didn't describe him well. He will see me as prey and try to corner me before killing me, just for his beloved. And the original Atlas was simply fussing over a villainess, not committing crimes.
Details, Atlas. Details.
Finally, it was Elinor's turn.
Crack! Boom! BOOM!
It took roughly twenty seconds for the orb to break, which was the only right timing of today.
Darcandon covered his mouth in shock.
"Lord Elinor, your attributes are Light, Air, Radiance and Prism. You have an affinity for conjuring, illusions, astrology, healing, enchantment, potions, and transfiguration. Your greatest virtues are curiosity and discipline."
It was expected only by two people here: me and him.
'He could at least pretend to be surprised, even if he knew since he was a child. Tsk, probably just for show.'
"Now, Atlas Vale, come forward."
Seems like it's my peaceful turn.
But will it really be like that?