Surviving in my Own Unpublished Failed Novel

Freya walked down the aisle of the silent dormitory block. There were only 40 A-1 students in the Rigel Building, making it very spacious, but somewhat unnecessary compared to A-2 to A-7 and A-8 to A-12 classes that were packed.

She rode a High-Speed Elevator that was a product of Magic Engineering as humanity's technology advanced due to the great changes that happened ever since the Emergence.

After exiting the High-Speed Elevator, she walked for at least 10 minutes from the Rigel Building to Andromeda Building due to the distance of more than a hundred meters based on the detailed School Guidebook that had geometry in it if she's not remembering it incorrectly.

She reached the entrance of the Andromeda Building, causing her to be stared at by numerous pairs of eyes, but she didn't care about it at all.

'...Oppa's room should be Room 393 on the 5th floor.'

She muttered inwardly as she continued to take her strides — after she quickly passed the identity check by showing her Obelisk I.D — from the Andromeda Building's entrance to one of the High-Speed Elevators on the ground floor.

Ding-!

Within 5 seconds, due to the High-Speed Elevators that were powered by Magic Stones, she arrived at her older brother's dormitory block, then the sound of the elevator rang in her ears as its door opened, then she slowly walked out of it.

'...There are not many people... probably because it's dinner.'

She thought as she walked through the hallway of her older brother's dormitory block, although there were a few students, there were stares still being directed at her, which she brushed off.

"Oi oi, isn't she from the Rigel Building?"

"Right, why is she coming to a place like this? She's an A-1 student though."

"Don't you two really know? I think she's a sibling of that weirdo."

For some reason, students from the lower sections had that tendency of looking up to the A-1 students in exchange for unintentionally looking down on themselves.

She's been recognized since every student who became an A-1 student, especially for the first years, was posted on the Obelisk Website with their faces, and the reason that Freya could think of when she was recognized as a sibling of her older brother was that during the days that were given to them, before the classes start, she's usually seen with him, and it's also because of their similar facial features.

...

Freya — who was walking with slow steps — stopped upon hearing the words of one of the students who may be unintentionally raised his voice.

She then turned her head to look at the three students, it was because of the word "weirdo" that made her do so. Apparently, her older brother's already dubbed as a weirdo in this dormitory block.

She stared fiercely at the three students, who reflexively flinched and then turned their heads away, avoiding her gaze under her deep blue eyes as though they were going to drown if they stared longer.

'...Oppa, just what the hell are you doing!?'

She shouted in her mind, wondering why her older brother's been dubbed as "weirdo" even though the classes haven't even started yet. Though it's not like it's alright for her, for her older brother to be called something like that after the classes started.

After a few seconds, when the three students left, she continued walking until she saw the back of someone she certainly recognized.

"Oppa! Where the hell have you been?!"

Freya shouted at a controlled volume, it was like a shout but in a whispering way, but it was enough to be heard by Russell and the other students, who somewhat formed a bewildering look on their faces.

She then slowly ran to her older brother, who seemed lost in his thoughts.

...

"...Oppa!?? What are you thinking about, huh...?"

When Freya didn't answer receive a response, she looked from the side, then began to pinch his right cheek.

"O-ouch!"

He was jolted awake from his little reverie as though the pain receptors in his right cheek had electrocuted him.

"...Nothing, nothing."

'...Nothing, really!? It looks like you're dreaming while awake!'

Freya lampooned inwardly, not voicing her thoughts, instead, she repeated her previous question.

"...I asked where the hell have you been?! I was looking for you yesterday, too."

Without answering her question, her older brother spoke nonchalantly.

"...Sigh... I'm hungry, let's grab some dinner."

'...Tsk. Sometimes, he's like this. Sigh... But, I should let him slide. He did worry me, but I'm happy that he's here.'

She started to match his pace while walking beside him until they entered a High-Speed Elevator. Then, after less than 5 seconds, from the 5th floor, where Russell's dormitory room was located, they reached the ground floor of the Andromeda Building.

'...He's quiet again.'

She pouted as she retracted her gaze before looking around the Obelisk Public Grounds while walking to reach the cafeteria they usually visit for lunch and dinner.

'...Although Oppa's behavior seems peculiar to other people's eyes, it's normal to me.'

As Freya had observed, even when they were still kids, Russell acts like an adult, and barely talks in front of unfamiliar people.

'...Even though we're only less than a year apart... But it's that mature behavior of his that makes me feel safer around him.

'And though I'm stronger than him, he's really great at giving pieces of advice.'

She muttered in her mind as she and her older brother saw from afar the cafeteria they usually went to, and after walking for a minute or two, they finally reached the cafeteria, named "Obelisk Cafeteria One."

It was packed with students that already formed their circles.

...

A few minutes "before" they reached the Obelisk Cafeteria One.

Russell and Freya exited the building where the former's dormitory room was located. As they took their pace, the former noticed the stares of some of the students passing by while the latter was either oblivious or didn't mind it at all.

Russell knew that these stares, although directed in his direction, were actually directed at his younger sister's physical appearance.

'Well, what can I say...? My younger sister has beautiful features.'

Freya has monolid, deep blue eyes as though they contained the depths of the unexplored seas; a button nose that accentuated her other facial features; mid-back length, deep black hair as though it depicts a starless night sky, and then a fine, fair-colored body.

'...That aside... I won't be telling her what I've been through... not yet.'

He muttered poignantly. Because of what he experienced, meeting a Primordial Goddess, as well as the subsequent circumstances, he hasn't decided yet about his next steps for the future, and all he planned in doing for now... was to simply observe the flow of the story.

...

"The usual, right...?"

Freya heard her older brother, asking her about what meal to order as they waited in line at the cafeteria.

"Yup! Set A it is! Heh heh."

She replied before giggling, prompting her older brother to frown, which caused her to chuckle.

"Why are you giggling? It's creepy."

Her older brother's words felt like a pen that became a sword, then struck her heart.

From chuckling to pouting at his remarks, Freya didn't take what her older brother said to heart, rather, she felt happy that they were bonding again, although it mostly happened almost every day since they arrived at the Obelisk Academy.

"Here's your order.

"Thank you for ordering."

A woman, wearing an obviously forced smile as though she didn't want to work at the cafeteria, interjected, cutting off the siblings' thoughts.

Russell then nodded at the cashier before taking the tray for two, where the Set A they ordered was on.

...

Due to the Obelisk Cafeteria One's area and the number of floors, which was 3, although many students were eating, chatting, or passing time, not every seat was occupied.

Russell and Freya took their seats by the thick window of the ground floor of the cafeteria. The view of some parts of the academy could be seen from the inside. There were parking lots and other department buildings, as the Obelisk Cafeteria One, as well as other cafeterias, was situated on the Northwest of the Obelisk Academy, bordering the Teachers' Faculty Building in the Northern part of the academy premises, and the 9 gigantic building or dormitories for the students that's located on the Western part of the academy premises.

"Thank you for the food!"

Both of them said at the same time before taking at least a heavy breath before munching the dinner they ordered.

The Set A meal that they ordered consisted of Nereian Tempura, made of either Nereian Shrimps and Cuttlefishes enveloped in breadcrumbs, and then Etherian Green Rice, along with the Cassiopeian Beverage called Cas-soda, short of Cassiopeian Soda. It's a meal set that was the combination of the specialty of the three countries: Nereia for sea foods; Etheria for crops, and Cassiopeia for beverages.

The two of them, during eating a meal, weren't opening their mouths to talk as though they were absorbed at this very moment.

...

"...Hah... that's a good one."

Freya took a heavy breath after finishing her meal as she put down the glass of Cas-soda atop the square table for two and then admired the flavorful Set A that she and her older brother usually bought.

She didn't have any concern about her mid-back length, deep black hair that might distract her from eating as she always tied it in a ponytail when she's leaving her dormitory room.

Then, after a minute or two, she glanced at her older brother and saw him finished his meal.

"Oppa, let's rest first."

She casually said as various thoughts surfaced in her mind as she stared at her older brother, while her right elbow was atop the table and her right hand below her chin, supporting her head.

- It is okay to get the interest of a Constellation, but do not just make a contract with one.

The words of her older brother resounded in her head while waiting for the time to pass.

...

Getting the interests of the Constellations was something that was not rare, especially when a player was a student in the Obelisk Academy or any other player academy. Although it's not necessary to be a graduate of a player academy, it would still be of great advantage to the player's side because the founders of the Obelisk Academy were contracted with strong and renowned Constellations.

The Olympia was considered the Land of the Stars for a sole reason... Because the eyes of "most" Constellations were collectively focused on the players or students that were being groomed by the player academies, and due to the agreement of the founding members of the Obelisk Organization... that player academies should only be built in Olympia.

Kindergarten and Elementary schools, as well as Training Centers that were available after graduating from Elementary, were the only education available in other major countries.

Then, due to the prestigiousness of the Obelisk Academy, there were many Constellations eyeing the players or students enrolled in it, though, most of the players were unaware of it, aside from the Strongest Players, as well as other extraordinary people.

Due to the backslash caused by the death of the Constellation's champion, not every player received the opportunity to make a contract with one. Most Constellations initiate contracts with the students of player academies when they were in their third year or graduating phase, just after the students were already polished. At least that were the common circumstances.

The only concerning thing about this situation was that humanity had no answer even though Evil Constellations eyed some players inside the player academies, but even Evil Constellations weren't impulsive in making a contract.

...

"...Wait here, I'll take out something."

Freya — who was silent for some time — snapped out of her thoughts as she heard her older brother, who stood up to buy something, probably for his late-night snacks.

- Do not just make friends with the "famous people" in your class.

This time, another piece of advice surfaced in her mind as she looked at the back of her older brother.

Speaking of the "famous people" in the A-1 class of first years, it was probably only the truly oblivious ones who didn't know about them. They were either the daughters or sons of the TOP 5 Guilds' Guild Masters or the TOP 5 heads of the Obelisk Organization.

Freya knew that messing with these people was undoubtedly one of the most stupid decisions she could make.

After two to three minutes, her thoughts were cut off as she saw her older brother approaching their seats.

As Russell sat, Freya asked out of curiosity.

"...Oppa, how's your allowance given by Mom...?"

She asked while looking at him, and this time both of her clasped hands were below her chin as her elbows atop the square table for two.

Crunch-!

"...Hmm, yum yum... It's still an allowance."

What Freya thought to be an untouched take-out snack became rather touched as her older brother grabbed something from a paper bag. It was an Olympia Bacon Sandwich.

"You...! Did you already spend almost all of it!?"

Freya spoke firmly as her eyes dilated, and her eyebrows pricked up.

"...Don't worry, I still have like 2,000 O...? or probably about 1,900 O."

Russell said casually before putting back the remaining third of the Olympian Bacon Sandwich.

"...Sigh... what did you do?"

Russell didn't answer, rather, he stood up, cueing Freya that resting was finished and it was time to go back to their respective dormitory room.

'...I got ignored... again.'

The first time she got ignored was when she asked where Russell had been, but somehow, Freya understood in a way, recalling something that her older brother had told her before.

- It is better to just "NOT" answer a question than commit a lie to someone.

"Tsk... you better not have done something useless again, or I'll kill you."

She replied firmly as she stood up, then both of them took their pace.

Before, Russell wasted some of his money that was given by their parents on mere arcades, especially in Virtual Reality (VR) games.

'...I don't know why, but he looked like someone who saw a VR for the first time.'

It was still vivid to her, the expression of her older brother when they first went to a certain mall after their parents made their first profit in their respective job.

...

After an unknown period of time, the two were nearing the Rigel Building's entrance as her older brother accompanied her.

- Do not just make friends with the "famous people" in your class.

For some inexplicable reason, she recalled again his words, and the basics of the basic profile of the "famous people" in the A-1 class surfaced in her mind.

Samantha Hall – Daughter of the Rank 1 Guild: StarStream Guild.

Elizabeth von Etherion – Daughter of the Queen of Etheria, the Guild Master of the Rank 2 Guild: Ethereal Guild.

Anya Amasawa – Daughter of one of the renowned conglomerates, the Guild Master of the Rank 3 Guild: Olympus Guild.

Rumia Flora – Daughter of the Queen of Nereia, the Guild Master of the Rank 4 Guild: Chaos Hunter Guild.

Leon von Obreyon – Son of the Guild Master of the Rank 5 Guild: Phantasmal Guild.

'...Hmm, come to think of it... Leon von Obreyon...'

While walking slowly, Freya's pacing became slower as she looked at her older brother, who was walking beside her, while drinking another Cas-soda.

"Oppa... you are classmates with Mira von Obreyon, right...?"

Upon hearing her words, Russell involuntarily spat out the soda from his mouth.