The Legendary Programming Mage

Chapter 65: Academy Survival Guide (1)



Flip.

I had been pushing it back for quite some time, but I think now is the right time.

Allen Vanderbilt.

I obviously wasn't talking about myself, but the real Allen.

The encrypted message he had left me was indeed strange, and a little haunting.

Who exactly was the monster and what had Allen gotten himself into?

Dragging someone from one world to another was no simple feat; if it was even possible.

But Allen had done it, with the help of that monster.

And there was no way Allen, who was pathetic in the novel, would have such a chance.

This meant:

The monster was the one controlling him, and the monster was the one who also started changing the plot.

If I were to choose a culprit,

then it would be the author.

Like—the proof was way too much to ignore.

He knew the plot of another world, and as soon as the plot changed his story changed too and he sent Sylvia.

This means both Sylvia and I are meant to fix something in the plot of the world.

Perhaps the author is some sort of god who doesn't want the end of this world, so he controlled Allen to send me here, then sent Sylvia here since I couldn't fix the mistake, too.

Flip.

That's why I was in the library.

However...

"Do you want some tea, junior?"

As I raised my gaze to meet the white-haired, fragile girl from before, only one thought entered my mind.

'What is she doing here?'

I had asked myself this question many times since she appeared in the library and chose to sit with me.

"No — as I said over and over again, I will pass."

"You're such a fascinating creature, Vanderbilt."

I exhaled and concentrated on my book, but I could still feel the senior's eyes on me.

I clenched my jaw. 'Breathe, Allen, breathe...'

I tried to breathe, only for it to catch in my throat. 'Damn it, I can't breathe.'

I slammed my palm on the table.

The senior placed a hand over her mouth and gasped. "Oh my, you shouldn't be so rough, little one."

She quickly pulled out a wipe and dabbed at the tea I had spilled.

"See? It went everywhere," she said with a soft laugh.

I exhaled and held out my hand. "Here, let me clean it."

She glanced at me, then smiled faintly as she passed me the wipe.

Slowly cleaning off the tea, I raised my gaze—only to find her smiling at me.

"What?"

She shook her head. "You look even better now that you've cut your hair and started exercising. I just want to trap you somewhere."

I swallowed. This woman is insane.

Grabbing the history book I'd been reading, I headed for the door, only for her voice to stop me.

"Hey, Vanderbilt—I heard you broke your master's first-year VR record?"

I paused for a brief moment before continuing on.

"I'm Xeno Frostmoor. Don't forget it, okay?"

Frostmoor?

I glanced back at her.

Oh.

I hadn't noticed it before, but she bore an uncanny resemblance to the Dean.

So this is Alicia's daughter, huh?

I turned away and left.

The moment I paid for the book and left the library, the bell rang out.

It was time for my elective class, Dungeon and Wilderness Survival.

The class wasn't something I had initially wanted to attend, but Quincy had ended up talking me into it.

Besides her, there was one other reason I chose this class...

It was easy to access.

As long as you click on the ninety-ninth floor inside any elevator, you will get there.

Yeah, it was basically witchcraft.

Opening the library elevator, I clicked on the floor and ascended at a rather slow pace.

As soon as I reached the floor, steam poured into the elevator; as it vanished, I was greeted by an outdoor forest.

The sounds of birds chirping in the distance, and fish flying in and out of lakes rang in my ear.

The cold breeze of the outdoors brushed against my skin; the sun was out but it wasn't hot, just warm.

Green trees and grass that looked almost animated filled the area and a single cobbled path was right in front of me.

I looked sideways; only then did I realize I was no longer in the elevator.

"I don't even have signal."

I slipped my phone into my pocket and moved forward.

Unlike other classes that had teachers, Dungeon Survival was all about surviving: you did everything by yourself.

Most students who participated in this class lived here with their friends and nature, while others—especially those who were bullied—used here as a way to get away from the eyes of people.

"But it's fascinating."

Everything was.

It was like a Webtoon or comic scene of a forest had jumped into real life.

I couldn't help but exhale with a small smile.

"Should I?"

I had never actually tried it since, to me, grass was dirty, but now?

I lay down on the ground and closed my eyes. "This feels amazing."

The sun on my skin, the soft breeze that faintly whistled in my ear.

"I want to sleep."

Before I knew it, however, my eyes shut and I fell into slumber.

Slurp!

'What's that sound?'

Am I dreaming?

It had been so long since I had one, though.

But everything is blank, so...

"She knows..."

What?

I swore I heard something.

Flicker...

A faint figure appeared in front of me.

"She knows it all."

Huh?

Haaaah...

My body jolted upright for no reason.

The sun that was high in the sky was now setting.

"What the hell just happened?"

Was it a dream?

A premonition?

"She knows..."

Argh...

My hand flew to my head as a sharp pain coursed through my skull.

If it was something connected to me, why did it happen now?

I stood to my feet, brushing myself off. "Let's head back for now."

Glancing around, I took in the sight of the forest before moving forward.

However, as soon as I walked some distance, the world blurred and turned upside down.

Bam!

My back landed on the ground hard, and before I knew it I lost consciousness.

And dreamed a long dream.

A dream I couldn't remember.

A dream that very much might hold my destiny.

In this dream only one sentence replayed in my head.

Dawn Of The Four Calamities.

---

A/N:

Hey guys, I'm really, really sorry for today's short update. I was insanely busy, so I'll only be uploading one chapter today. But don't worry—I'll probably drop four or five tomorrow as compensation.

Thanks as always for the support!

(No illustration today😶‍🌫️)

—Water7


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