The Gacha Addict of the Academy

With the professor’s words, the so-called “physical test” began.

It wasn’t exactly a test of pure physical strength—students were using their abilities to achieve the best results they could.

The professor had mentioned that no matter how well you used your ability, some things were simply impossible, and therefore this test wouldn’t count toward grades.

But then, in the same breath, he encouraged us to give it our all. The contradiction wasn’t lost on anyone.

“Guess it’s no wonder this academy is world-famous…”

The protective magic around the area was impressive. Even the barriers and walls were fortified with high-level magic. Maybe it was because of the stars embedded in my eyes, but I could see the flow of mana clearly, like glowing lines weaving through the structures.

Heh… I can see the threads.

“…”

God, I want to die.

As if being a shut-in loser wasn’t bad enough, I was now also exhibiting full-blown middle school syndrome. If I keep this up, I might as well let myself be thrown out with the trash.

“Hey, you over there.”

Uh-oh. Was he talking to me?

“M-Me…?”

“No, not you—the guy next to you.”

It turned out the professor was addressing the boy beside me.

The boy, whose face had a mix of irritation and resignation, eventually sighed and walked up to the professor. He must’ve realized there was no point in resisting.

“What is it?” he asked, his tone slightly defensive.

“I’ve got something to take care of. Watch over things while I’m gone.”

“What? Wait, hold on—”

The boy looked completely bewildered.

To be honest, I was relieved I hadn’t been chosen. I know myself well enough to admit that if I’d been asked to manage something like this, I would’ve screwed it up spectacularly. Missing records, incorrect times—I wouldn’t have been able to handle the responsibility.

“Well, I’m off. Good luck!” the professor said with a casual wave before vanishing into thin air.

“Hey! Professor! You can’t just—”

The boy’s protests were in vain.

The professor had already teleported away, leaving the boy staring blankly at the spot where he’d disappeared. He scratched his head furiously, clearly frustrated. The other students glanced at him with pity, some even stifling laughter at his predicament.

To be fair, it was a little sad.

The shocking truth about Silvaros Academy? There’s no skipping class.

The professor may have left, but considering his proficiency with magic, there was no doubt he’d set up surveillance spells to monitor everything. Sure enough, I could see the faint glimmer of magical wards keeping an eye on us. Even if someone wanted to slack off, it wouldn’t work under his watchful eye.

“First day, and the professor already bails.”

“Kuh…!”

The students whispered behind his back—if it could even be called that. With surveillance magic all around, wasn’t this technically front-stabbing?

Honestly, I understood their complaints.

We came to this academy to learn, not to be abandoned on the first day.

The boldness of the students muttering criticism, despite knowing they were being watched, was actually kind of impressive. You’d need some serious guts to do that.

When I first heard this would be a physical test involving abilities, I was kind of hopeful.

But my ability, Gacha, doesn’t exactly lend itself to practical applications.

The most I can do is use my ability to slow down the world around me, giving the illusion of heightened reflexes.

Even then, it’s purely visual—my body doesn’t actually move faster. Turning my head or moving my arms is still as slow as ever.

The only consolation is that I can control when to activate this effect. I don’t have to slow things down unless I want to.

“…”

The bottom line? I was destined to come in dead last for this test.

“Huff… Huff… Haaack…!”

While the other students breezed through the long-distance run using their abilities, I had no choice but to run the entire thing with my bare physical strength.

No way was I wasting a gacha pull on something like this. I’m saving that for more important moments.

“This is… exhausting…”

My lack of ability usage seemed to confuse the boy managing the records. He kept glancing at me with an odd look, probably wondering why I wasn’t using my powers.

I mean, I get it. Even I think I’m being ridiculous.

But please… stop looking at me like that.

“Is this all it takes to wear me out…?”

Not even a full lap.

It’s not just sad—it’s downright pathetic.

“Sigh…”

In a modern world, struggling with a single lap wouldn’t be unusual. But here, at this academy? Anyone admitted should have at least some basic physical training. Even for a mage, being exhausted from a single lap around the training grounds would put you below the level of an ordinary person.

Sure, this world resembles the modern era, but it’s still a fantasy setting.

And it’s not like I want to be like this…

“Haa…”

Sitting on a bench to catch my breath, I finally started to feel a bit better.

Since this was a training area, there were resting spots scattered around. I wanted nothing more than to collapse and lounge here all day, but the presence of other students made that impossible.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I tuned into the conversations around me. Unsurprisingly, the students were venting about the professor.

Wow… not popular, huh?

“I didn’t expect the professor to be like this.”

“Well, apparently, he was halfway forced into this after his hero work.”

Wait, was that part of his backstory?

It’s been so long since I read this novel that I can’t remember the details. Especially the early chapters.

Honestly, I only remember the identity of the first heroine—not how she and the protagonist meet.

Something major does happen at the start of the semester, though…

What was it again?

Let’s be real: this is one of those novels I’d occasionally binge when it popped up, thinking, “Oh yeah, this was a thing,” and then click to the next chapter. Expecting me to remember the plot in detail would be ridiculous.

I’m normal, okay?

“Ah… dammit.”

Still, forgetting something this crucial? Am I an idiot?

This isn’t just some random plot point—it’s directly tied to my survival! Failing to remember something this important could literally cost me my life.

Not that I ever imagined I’d get sucked into a novel. How could anyone prepare for something like this?

I mean, sure, the story ends in a frustrating open-ended harem mess where the protagonist goes around smashing everything (including planets), but it’s not like I ever expected to live through it myself.

And hey, I didn’t even get the usual “Author’s Note” message before being thrown in here. That’s just unfair.

At least give me some kind of grace period to figure out how to survive!

“When was the first crisis again…?”

Think.

There shouldn’t be any immediate danger in the classroom. Even if something spawns, preventative measures can be taken to stop any breaches from fully opening.

That means the real threat comes from situations where the professor fails to act in time.

So… wouldn’t now be the perfect opportunity?

“…”

The professor isn’t even here.

A wave of unease swept over me. Still, it couldn’t be happening now, could it? Even if something did happen, the protagonist is far away, and I don’t have any unique abilities that would make me a target. Right now, I’m just a regular person.

Sure, I’d love to learn magic, but on the first day, basic spells won’t even scratch monsters like kobolds or goblins. Basic magic is just that—basic. It consumes minimal mana, so its power is correspondingly weak.

To put it in perspective: fire magic is like a lighter, and water magic is comparable to a dripping faucet. That’s about the extent of it.

Before heading back today, I should stop by the library and pick up some beginner-level magic books. I need to study.

I want to roll gacha.

The urge hit me like a truck. If I used my ability now, I could get a random skill tailored to the situation. But the catch? Once the ability’s trigger deactivates, the skill vanishes.

I can’t just keep my ability active all the time either—it drains mana continuously.

Earning gacha rolls is already tough enough. Giving in to temptation now would leave me defenseless when a real crisis hits.

No. I need to hold back.

Don’t do it, me.

“Hmm…”

While the other students chatted among themselves, I sat in isolation. Their laughter echoed across the field.

What could possibly be so funny? They were practically howling. It was starting to get to me.

Screw it. I’ll make a friend.

…Wait. Can I?

The idea of someone like me—a shut-in loser—making friends felt absurd.

I’m terrible at talking to people. I can’t even make proper eye contact. How could I possibly form a friendship?

And even if I did, my understanding of friendship is fundamentally flawed. To me, it’s always seemed like a one-sided relationship where only one party benefits.

Hmm… maybe I could just pay them?

That’s it! I’ll pay for friendship!

What a brilliant idea!