While reading the letter from left to right, a distant yet sharp voice echoed within Cassien’s mind, as though the words themselves were being spoken directly to him.

[Dear Transmigrators,

I hope all of you are doing well and having a wonderful day.

For those who have been given an academy pathway, and for those forced to seek different roads, I wish you luck on either journey.

Now, you’re probably wondering who I am and why this letter has been sent to each of you.

Well, to be frank...

I’m not your friend. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

As many of you may have already realized, you’ve all been transmigrated into the novel [A Hero’s Will To Survive], created by none other than me.

That’s right.

I’m the author.

The reason none of you can remember my pen name is simple. I played around with each of your characters a little.

This novel didn’t have many readers, but anyone who managed to read up to Chapter 100 has been placed into this world.

Whether you’re an extra or an important figure in the novel, anyone you meet could be a transmigrator.

At this very moment, every transmigrator is reading this letter at the exact same time.

Why did I transmigrate all of you here?]

A light laugh escaped from the unknown being calling itself the ’Author.’

[Because I wanted to have fun.

I have officially named this event...

The [Transmigration Games].

Whoever wins this game will be granted any reward they desire.

Including being sent back to Earth.

The time limit is exactly one year.

Fail to clear the game by then, and all of you will perish in both worlds.

How do you win?

Simple.

Create a new fate while erasing your old one.

Some of you have already figured out how to access another person’s transmigration panel...

But be careful.

Calling out someone’s fate incorrectly may result in terrible side effects.

So try not to jump to conclusions too quickly.

And no, that isn’t all.

Every transmigrator kill is worth 10 Game Points.

As for killing ordinary people?

Worthless.

Nothing more than reckless stupidity.

Though... some clever individuals may still find ways to use that to their advantage.

Game Points can be exchanged for many useful things.

For example, identifying suspicious individuals whose identities remain unknown to you.

Don’t think you can simply hide forever, though.

From time to time, I will initiate Purges.

During these events, all players must enter a designated barrier and participate.

Refuse to enter?

You will be eliminated from the game.

And die uneventfully.

Want access to more information?

Then why not start killing?

Sincerely,Author-Kun.]

Cassien let out a quiet laugh, one filled with excitement.

’So the author treats their readers’ lives as nothing more than a game.’

’Even the donors. Even the people who paid money to support them.’

’To that thing... we’re all just puppets for entertainment.’

The letter slowly began disintegrating in his hands, the paper fading into nothingness.

’Then I’ll do both.’

’I’ll win the [Transmigration Games] while also uncovering my original objective.’

But another thought stirred his blood.

’Though... judging by how arrogant this author sounds, I kind of want to kill them too.’

Cassien rose from his bed.

The bed beside him remained untouched, his roommate still nowhere to be seen.

He checked both his pistol and knife, making sure they were placed exactly where he wanted them.

Since he had a week before classes began, Cassien decided to head downstairs and explore the academy’s training facilities.

A crowd had most likely gathered there by now.

...

Some time later, Cassien found himself among that very crowd, watching a duel unfold below in the arena.

He silently spectated two unbearably weak individuals fighting one another.

Their information was displayed above them on a flat screen.

Of course, neither of them possessed noble status.

Cassien glanced down at the ticket in his hand.

"Ticket 530."

The current fighters were registered under Ticket 529.

Meaning only one match remained before his own.

Cassien’s opponent? Unknown.

He had signed up merely to gauge the strength of others within the academy.

While sitting alone on one of the simple benches, a young woman suddenly approached from the left.

"All alone? You look lonely."

Cassien turned his head.

The girl was someone he had never seen before.

She wasn’t as striking as the women he’d previously encountered, but she had her own charm.

Light-brown hair.

Brown eyes.

And bits of leather armor wrapped around her body, especially near her chest.

"Lonely?" Cassien repeated. "Talk about yourself."

"At least I’m a beautiful woman."

"Beautiful?" Cassien laughed. "Must be a daydream."

She crossed her arms.

"What’s your name? You look noble, so why are you sitting here alone?"

"Cassien. And you?"

"Amelia. My last name doesn’t matter. I’m from an unnamed village."

"You seem more mature than most people our age," Cassien commented while continuing to watch the match below.

"Naturally." Amelia shrugged. "Most of these people were raised with luxurious lifestyles."

Cling!

Smack!

The sounds of spells and metal swords continued erupting throughout the arena.

Teenagers crowded the stands from all directions.

"Why are you here?" Cassien asked.

"To watch."

"Well, then, why not stay and watch my fight too?"

"I’m only here for one person."

As she said that, Jameson Sparrow arrogantly entered the arena grounds.

"And that person is him."

Amelia pointed directly at Jameson.

Cassien couldn’t help but smile.

"Do you know when his fight starts?"

She nodded.

"It’s the next one. Ticket 530."

Cassien immediately burst into laughter.

"Fight over! Well done! Winner: Kyle Larson!"

The referee raised his voice.

"Next participants, please enter the arena!"

Amelia smiled brightly.

"Looks like Jameson’s up."

Cassien stood from his seat.

"Wait—where are you going?" Amelia asked.

Cassien walked toward the stairs leading directly into the arena.

"To fight Jameson Sparrow."

He glanced back slightly with a smug grin.

"Wasn’t that obvious?"

Amelia’s eyes widened.

"Y-you’re insane. You’ll die. Just look at yourself, then compare yourself to him."

Cassien ignored her and continued walking forward.

’We’ll see.’