If you were a player of an SRPG game, would you use the following character?
The maximum number of characters that can be deployed in a single stage is eight.
One of those slots is occupied by this character, whose characteristics are as follows.
Cannot attack enemies.
Officially, they are unable to deal damage to enemies, and at best, a mage using a staff for a basic melee attack—not even a [Magic Missile]—can only inflict negligible damage.
Cannot use healing magic on allies.
They can propose tactics to prevent allies from dying, but they do not cast healing magic on injured comrades.
Instead, this character possesses the following skills:
Increases allies’ experience gain by 300%.
Boosts allies’ mana increase rate by 150%.
Reduces mana consumption by 30% for allies within a 7-tile radius.
When using a skill after direct physical contact, the attack power is enhanced by 300% compared to a standard solo attack.
Anyone even remotely interested in games would immediately understand.
— What the hell is this broken character?
It’s a balance-destroyer.
Other characters might as well starve, given the existence of such an absurd entity.
And if people realize that such a character was deliberately released, the outrage would extend from the character to the developers themselves.
Not only for creating such a character—
But also for the unsettling implication that a game difficulty requiring such a character might exist.
What is this character’s name?
They do not exist in any actual in-game roster.
Their name is none other than [Phoenix].
That’s right.
It’s me.
This is one of the roles I currently hold in the Academy, and by extension, in this world of Esdinas of Heaven.
– Just breathing near Phoenix will raise my realm of power!
That’s what the students in the Academy dormitories say.
Leveling up just by breathing?
If you ask how that’s possible—breathing isn’t exactly an intense exercise, after all—I’d have to answer that it’s due to my unique nature.
After all, doesn’t being near the sun naturally expose you to its heat and light?
But there’s a problem.
Since the Old School Building dormitory hasn’t undergone expansion, the number of people who can reside inside is limited.
As a result—
“Let the Old School Building’s Vermilion Bird Class know—do not approach the forest carelessly.”
From the very first day of the second semester, Instructor Esta issued a strange warning even before giving the new students an orientation.
“We don’t usually go near the forest anyway, but why are you saying this?”
“Currently, a ‘Camping Line’ has been set up at the outermost section of the forest leading into the Old School Building.”
“…A Camping Line?”
“Yes. About half a year from now, the graduating students requested this en masse to the Academy’s Operations Department, and the faculty meeting approved it. Kadisha, can you show them the screen?”
[Of course~]
With Instructor Kadisha’s voice coming through the magic panel, the front panel of the classroom flickered, displaying different areas on the screen.
There, students had set up sleeping bags, tents, and even folding beds—as if preparing for outdoor camping or makeshift lodging.
“…What is this?”
“Some of the third-year students, soon to graduate, desperately asked for a place to stay near the Old School Building’s outskirts. And the reason is… I think you all know it already.”
“Because of me?”
“Exactly. Your influence is centered around the Old School Building, after all.”
“I understand. Especially for third-years with graduation approaching—they want to absorb even a little more power from the Phoenix Totem before they leave.”
This is desperation.
They could have just stayed comfortably in their dormitory beds and graduated as usual.
But if they endure only half a year of camping or tent life outside the Old School Building’s forest zone, their mana rank at graduation could be drastically different.
It’s like the difference between making it into a top-tier university in Seoul or not.
If you’re already in Seoul, then the difference between being in Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University or not.
And if you’re already in Seoul National University, then whether you get into medical school or some other department.
They believe they can make such a meaningful difference—so now they’ve occupied the area just outside the forest.
Beyond that forest, along the paths leading to the Academy’s Main Building, Gardens, and Forest Trails, second-years and first-years have also staked their spots.
The dormitory has suddenly emptied out—
No, that’s not quite right.
Third-year students, regardless of gender, have set up camp in the forest,
But in the areas beyond the forest, closer to the Academy buildings, there are noticeably more female students than male students.
“But Instructor Esta, in that case… wouldn’t it be highly likely that those who enter the Old School Building’s forest could become Angels? More precisely, be possessed by Angels?”
“That’s right.”
“If you’re aware of that possibility, why are you allowing students to camp out in the forest? Are you deliberately trying to weed them out?”
“Yes. This isn’t just my opinion; it’s the consensus of most of the faculty, including Dean Ederson.”
Weeding out.
If Angels are destined to appear no matter what, then it’s better to preemptively expose and eliminate those at risk of being possessed.
Would you rather deal with 666 Angels appearing all at once in two years and six months—or steadily eliminate two or three potential Angels every week for the next two years and six months?
‘Two or three a week sounds like a lot… but we’re not the only ones dealing with them, so I guess it evens out.’
The premise shifts.
The responsibility of dealing with Angels isn’t limited to the students of the Old School Building; those who have entered the forest fall within the Old School Building’s domain, so they are also part of the equation.
“Every student who has chosen to camp or live in the forest is fully aware that they might become an Angel.”
[Shouldn’t we establish an official term first? If we keep calling them ‘Angels,’ the Church of the Goddess might get offended and send an Inquisitor our way, calling us heretics~]
With a low chuckle, Instructor Kadisha popped up a window on the screen.
[For convenience, let’s call these beings ‘Fallen Angels.’ Corrupt Angels—those who descend to Earth, possess human bodies, and recklessly kill people. How about it? Sounds appropriate, right?]
“But that’s just… underwear.”
[Sure, they’re sealed inside underwear. But what happens if that seal is broken, or if someone removes the outer magic barrier and puts them on? The moment you wear it, a Fallen Angel takes over your body.]
“Exactly.”
Even just grabbing it in your hand or placing it on your head would be enough to lose control of your body.
But wearing it on the lower half?
The moment of contact, you’d be completely taken over by an Angel.
However, there’s a gap between my understanding of Angels and the general perception of the world.
“Wait, why not just call them Angels? Why specifically ‘Fallen Angels’?”
“Miss Yunia, it’s because of the Church of the Goddess. They’re not a force we can simply ignore.”
“Right. If we call them ‘Fallen Angels’, it makes them seem like rogue entities that need to be eliminated. But if we just call them ‘Angels’, then from the Church’s perspective, they’re beings to be worshiped and followed.”
In truth, all Angels share the same ideology, but only a few descend to Earth and possess human bodies.
For now, labeling this small fraction as ‘Fallen Angels’ won’t cause much trouble.
Unless, of course, someone starts questioning— “Why the hell are these so-called Fallen Angels appearing like cockroaches? Are all Angels like this?” —and comes to a realization.
That what humans call ‘Fallen Angels’ is actually the default nature of Angels.
That their true purpose is to eradicate humanity, and for some, to take pleasure in violating virgins.
“Given the situation, the first thing our Vermilion Bird Class needs to do is—”
“What is it, Instructor?”
“We need to rescue the new students who will soon enter the Old School Building—before they get drowned in the jealousy of the third-year students camping outside the forest, and the many second- and first-year girls who gather there every evening and even sleep over.”
Before someone turns into an Angel.
Or before an Angel possesses someone.
“Fortunately, Yurha is holding them back for now—but at the same time, she’s also being held back.”
* * *
“Hmm, this is a problem.”
Standing atop a carriage, Yurha laughed with a wry smile.
“I can’t just run them over with the carriage.”
“W-What?”
“Ah, you heard that?”
Below the carriage, a purple-haired female student, Shuri, hesitantly peeked up at her.
“Uh, um…”
“Junior Shuri, do you have anything that makes you particularly special? Some talent, or something that gives you a reason to be admitted into the Old School Building’s Azure Dragon Class?”
“W-Well…”
Shuri clutched her magic pad and whispered.
“Other than drawing… nothing much.”
“Drawing, huh? Hmm. Before we discuss that—”
Yurha gestured toward the Old School Building.
“Hold on tight. In a moment… something will come flying.”
“F-Flying? What’s coming?”
“Hmm.”
Yurha chuckled and pointed forward.
“…Tactical Windstorm Javelin Throw?”
* * *
Moments later.
A storm-like spear fell from the sky, sweeping through the entrance of the forest leading into the Old School Building.
