Surviving in my Own Unpublished Failed Novel

The morning of the school trip's seventh or the last day finally arrived. This school trip was a mix of enjoyment, exhaustion, then competition, as well as bringing forth new connections. Russell, on the one hand, certainly made new connections, although it was for his and his Chaos Companions' sake, on the other hand, it had the contrasting effect of what someone could consider as amiable. In other words, Russell appeared to be an attention-seeker, rulebreaker, and an impolite brat against the nobles despite his short stay in Cassiopeia's capital city.

If Russell said that he was not feeling apprehension for this day, it would be a lie. A complete lie. Whether or not the events that would unfold would happen or not, Russell was not certain. But since it was the mark of something new, Russell strongly believed that it would transpire.

"Oppa! Are you done yet? The Stream Bus will leave in ten minutes!"

"Coming up!"

After wearing the shirt that was used for Player Physical Education class, Russell combed his deep black hair for some time. Looking back to the luxurious hotel that had given him temporary comfort, Russell opened the door and saw his younger sister, with her puffed cheeks and arms crossed, waiting for him.

Walking through the neat hallway where a shred of trash couldn't be sighted, Freya glanced at her older brother, then spoke in a concerned manner.

"...Oppa, you didn't sleep, did you?"

Hearing his younger sister, Russell let out a sigh of exhaustion, not physically, but mentally. Looking ahead to where a high-tech magic elevator was situated, Russell replied.

"Barely, but I'll be fine. Although it feels wrong to hope for something that would cause the deaths of numerous people just for the sake of such an event to take place- just to be aligned in the original story."

Freya never realized it before, but now, she gained a sense of comprehension regarding the thorny path that her older brother was walking through before she discovered the existence of the mysterious novel. For some reason, Freya felt like it was better if what Russell had said was instead the truth - that he could take a glimpse of the hazy future. In this way, at least it would give her a sense of comfort instead of feeling unnecessary guilt because it had been a while since her older brother was feeling the burden alone of having the "detailed" knowledge of the uncertain yet highly probable future.

"...Oppa…"

That's all she could muster to say as they arrived with some random students in front of the spacious magic elevator. After they boarded it, five to six seconds later, they arrived on the ground floor of the Star Hotel of Nobility.

Several hundreds of students flocked and gradually diminished in number as groups of them left the grand and magnificent hotel. Seeing from a few meters away, Freya waved her hand to Amelie and Ken. These two's respective hotel rooms were on different floors. Russell, as usual as he was, just nodded his head as an act of greeting.

Walking for at least two to three minutes towards the parking lot where the numerous magic-powered high-tech Stream Buses were parked, they now had taken their respective seats within the Stream Bus that they were with since the Seven-Day School Trip began. But before Russell and the others entered it, they saw Acelyn von Ephilon of the Sky Academy looking at him with a wide, malicious smile painted on her lips.

Turning his back as he stepped inside the Stream Bus, with his expressions concealed from Acelyn's blue eyes, Russell grinned. It was a grin that contained a more malicious indication than the noblewoman.

"This will be the last day of the school trip. I hope everyone has learned something in this journey, especially the first years because this is something that you will barely have time to experience if you become a full-pledge player and become guild-affiliated."

Now inside the Stream Bus, Azalea's voice resounded. After that, with the following encouragement from her, which didn't seem to be necessary to be told, but necessary for her to tell as the President of the Disciplinary Committee, the Stream Bus then started to take its next and last course.

***

With the help of the Warp Gate that was situated to Alapeia, which could be designated as another country's capital, depending on which coordinates were set by the Warp Gate's operators, Russell, and the others arrived at the Land of Diversity, or to be specific, the Alastor's capital named Articor.

It was called that way because it was the land of opportunity - cost-wise, which caused most players who were looking for stable jobs to live here regardless of where they came from. In other words, it was the most populated country in the Orion Continent.

"Attention everyone!

"For the second time, I want to remind all of you that this is the last day of the school trip, and what I want to emphasize is that make no trouble as much as possible!"

As the Stream Bus stopped on a designated parking lot of the hotel they were assigned to sleep in later, Azalea's firm voice resounded.

After that, everyone gradually left the Stream Bus and checked in to the hotel named Hotel of Player Diversity, the most famous and extravagant hotel in this country. On par, if not more renowned than those hotels in their previous tour destinations.

Before Russell left the magic vehicle, he walked towards Azalea, garnering some students' attention. Standing on the backseats, Azalea tilted her head, showing her confusion.

A few moments later, Russell leaned his head forward and whispered to her ears.

"...Don't go to the largest artifact museum as much as possible."

She didn't know the reason behind his action or the intention behind his words, but considering everything that this man had helped her with, she couldn't question the credibility of everything that came out of his mouth. Although she wasn't a fool to believe everything at first glance.

Tapping one of her shoulders, Russell walked away, but with his back now turned, he paused for a moment and spoke in a casual tone.

"Stop stressing yourself out.

"There's a misspelled word in the Seven-Day Trip Guide you handed to each of us."

"Huh...?"

She was stupefied by the unexpected words, causing her to grab a brochure of the Seven-Day Trip Guide in her small bag. And without a doubt, she realized the simple word she missed when she was making it. Although it was Aisha, her secretary, who printed these brochures, it was she who typed and edited them using her computer.

'I can't believe I miss the right way to spell royal... Argh-!'

It just showed how stressed she was about something. Specifically, she couldn't get off her mind regarding the last three Seeds of Direction that she needed to collect, and by successfully collecting them, she would fulfill the favor of her Constellation, which would then grant her another authority.

Azalea was losing patience because she wanted to acquire more power to rule over the shadows of the entire continent.

But she didn't have the guts to press Russell about such matters.

'I need something related to Yggdrasil, after all.'

She thought while seeing the back of the man she was fascinated with. But Azalea didn't know that Russell possessed a Branch of Yggdrasil, which he acquired long before in the Ancient Treasure Chest from Chaos in the Hidden Dungeon, Oldest Root of Yggdrasil.

***

Different from the noble countries where it was either a king or a queen who rules, Alastor was a Republic country and was ruled by President.

Glancing around, Russell saw a billboard, promoting various training centers before the aspiring players could attend an academy.

On the billboard, there's a certain figure that was known to most people — the face of the President of this country, and the Guild Master of the Starlight Guild, to where Riya, the woman who lost to Russell in gambling twice, was affiliated with.

Other towering structures could be seen around, as expected of being the country's capital. The atmosphere was indeed lively, at least superficially since there were those who preferred to do underground business or something that's not easily exposed.

"Welcome our esteemed guests!

"Please enjoy your stay at our hotel!"

A woman in a formal suit greeted everyone. After a few minutes of accommodating them like head counting and identity checking, Russell and the others went to their designated hotel room based on the number of the key card that was handed to each of them.

After a few minutes of scrutinizing the extravagant hotel room, Russell left because it was time to join again with Elizabeth, their diligent group leader.

***

"Hmm... Tough night?"

Elizabeth casually asked Celiya, who looked like someone who never had any sleep for a long time.

"...Just a few things."

Celiya von Elydine didn't go to specifics, but she didn't deny what Elizabeth had just said.

Last night, in a certain bar in the Red Lunar District, the bartender had told her that someone wanted to meet her. After that, the bartender handed her a pair of daggers, something that Celiya deeply recognized. Because it was her elder sister's Personal Weapon, something that was gifted to her on her eighteenth birthday.

At first, she didn't believe the bartender, but she realized that the bartender was just a middlewoman who was asked to do such a favor — to tell Celiya herself.

Almost drunk during that time, she quickly left at the backdoor of the bar and saw the familiar blonde hair and familiar stature of her elder sister, who was looking afar as though she had missed something... or someone.

Calling out to her, they stared at each other with different emotions that were burning in their kindred blue eyes. Celiya had an incredulous look, while Czerina had an expression of confusion and urgency because of Russell's actions and words.

Then for some time, with Czerina who didn't understand the situation, Celiya was asked some things regarding how she found her.

But what's surprising to Czerina's side was that she never expected her younger sibling to drink in the forbidden place for nobles. If it came to light, Celiya would be banished after being considered as filthy by the family.

Adding to her surprise, Czerina was handed her previous Personal Weapon she thought she lost. It caused her to press Celiya for answers, but the latter just asked back in innocence because she, too, had no idea about what happened.

Czerina, whose heart was still filled with hate because of their grandparents and parents, realized something before she bid goodbye to her younger sister.

"Let's go..."

"Uh... Celiya?"

"...Hey?"

"Uh! Sorry! I'm just thinking about something."

Celiya's reverie was crushed by Elizabeth's words.

After that, they proceeded to spend the day in accordance with the school trip's itinerary.

***

The morning schedule had quickly passed, giving Russell and the others free time to do whatever they wanted from here on out, but they would be responsible for their own actions.

What Azalea said in the Stream Bus earlier in the morning was only for the sake of the academy's name, and not for the sake of every student's well-being.

"Alright! Everyone can explore whatever they want, and go to wherever they want, but everyone is only limited to the Central Articor.

"And remember to come back to this hotel before nine in the evening!

"Dismiss!"

Azalea's voice resounded in the hotel's lobby. Although there were numerous professors present, it was she who was assigned to such a job. In fact, it was supposed to be Arthur Wolfson, the Student Council President, but for reasons unknown, he filed for sick leave and excused himself.

Standing up from the lobby's seat, Freya, Amelie, and Ken followed Russell as they exited the lobby flocked with students.

***

Somewhere in Articor, the woman who infiltrated last night the certain museum was now standing atop a towering building's spire at least five hundred meters away from the said museum.

Glancing at her smartwatch, and checking the time, the woman in question crouched fearlessly. There's no sign of fear in her eyes regarding the height from where she was crouching.

When the clock hit exactly four in the afternoon...

A fiery bird fell down from the sky.