My Reincarnation Fantasy Is All Wrong!

Indistinct chatter washes over me causing a small headache. As I slowly open my eyes again warmth washes over me, and cramped bodies press against me. A horde of people are standing around me as I try to piece together what's going on. I'm alive? But how? I fell to my death. Bile begins to rise in my throat as my legs buckle slightly. Shivers run through me until a voice comes from across whatever hall we are in. I feel a small bump behind me as someone begins to speak up.

"Welcome all students, we're glad you've all made it" A frigid voice flows throughout the room. Peeking my head up, a silver-haired middle-aged man in a dark purple suit stands behind a podium on a large stage. Hundreds of students filling the room all looking towards his slight smile.

"I am the acting Vice-Principal of-" "Who in the Abyss took so damn long!" A massive figure pushes his way to the front, yelling out as most people desperately try to make a path for him. "It's been 20 damn years! Who's wasting our time hunting rabbits? I've been standing here for 4 hours?!"

Nobody says a word as I process what he said. There's no way I was falling for 4 hours. Right? Or maybe I showed up late. I probably shouldn't say anything though. However, something about him commands attention, commands submission. I shake the feeling away with ease as a smaller girl begins to squeak out next to me.

"i-" "Enough Mr. Superbia, refrain from using your abilities on University time" The clear grey eyes gaze into piercing gold ones. Quickly, the girl next to me seems to regain her focus, her hand shooting over her mouth. 

What the fuck was that? Some kind of mind control? Is that common around here? So many questions fill my head I realize something. I don't know anything. I'm in my favorite novel series and I can't even remember the title?! I don't seem to have any special powers (still hoping on that one) and I lack meta-knowledge? How am I supposed to survive with mind-controlling freaks running around? Sirens start to go off in my head, before being quieted by the man continuing his speech.

"I will start from the beginning and expect no interruptions." 'Mr. Superbia' looking slightly shaken quickly composes himself and easily vaults off the stage ledge.

"Welcome all students, you have all come here in pursuit of something. Power, Fame, Riches, or perhaps some other personal goal known only to those closest to you." Gazing around the room he somehow locks eyes with me, and a bead of sweat runs down my face.

"Some of you deserve to be here more than others, some of you don't deserve to be here at all. Yet, through receiving a letter of

recommendation or passing the written exam you are here." Wow. I really, REALLY, don't deserve to be here, do I? Going to have to shelve that for later.

"As you all should know Gravitas has not been open to attendance for two decades. Do not pester your professors as to why. They lack that knowledge. Gravitas has also accepted many foreign students this year. Again, do not ask your professors as to why. This is your first, and final warning."

Once again he gazes over the 'students'. I'm going to a school I assume? Going to have to try and figure out what's going on here before I do anything that causes me trouble. What even IS my situation?

As my mind begins to drift back to my conversation with Delmaroo, my thoughts are once again interrupted. Can I just have a minute to focus?!

The man pulls out a piece of paper. Placing it on the podium, he then begins reading monotonously.

"Belongings that have been deemed 'useful beyond a certain standard' including but not limited to, Kinslas Standard currency, and Mystic Objects, have been confiscated and delivered to the individual you set as your emergency contact. They are to be claimed and kept off of campus grounds. You will not be getting those belongings back during your stay at Gravitas." They took everyone's stuff?! I have no idea what I lost but I'm sure someone lost something important.

Yet, a stir through the crowd is quenched in an instant. 

"If you have any complaints you may leave now and consider yourself expelled." 

. . . 

It's dead quiet.

. . . 

Where the hell am I?

"All of you have been separated into ranks totaling five, based on performance during initiation. In addition, you have been given a stipend of Electrum based on that rank. Electrum may also be gained through other methods such as getting an on-campus job or scoring well on a test. You may use Electrum to purchase goods, services, and other equipment that may aid you on upcoming exams." That's . . . interesting. A tired sigh leaves my mouth. I'm going to need a job in a place I know nothing about. If I'm still dreaming this must be a nightmare.

"I am aware we have many young scions, lords, ladies, or other holders of prestigious titles. No matter who you are to the outside world you will not receive preferential treatment. Whoever you may be, your stay here will be difficult, draining, and potentially deadly if you do not take this with utmost seriousness. However, those who commit everything to their development, those who take risks, and those who seek opportunities can benefit greatly. Welcome to Gravitas University, we sincerely hope you graduate."

The man paces off the stage and through a side door as a shorter man approaches the stage and begins to rapidly speak.

"A staff member will come and get your rank in descending order. They will direct you towards your housing."

The crowd is silent until the click of a door being closed echoes out. Self-praises, compliments, curses, and much more indiscernible babble wrecks through the hall.

Alright, finally I have some time to think to myself I naively believe as once again a yell crashes into everyone.

"I, Dmitry Superbia will achieve the highest rank among this lot! If anyone has any complaints speak now or hold your tongue!" There it is, I knew it. Can't I just get a minute? Only for someone to interrupt this arrogant annoyance.

"Ah, Mr. Superbia was it? I can assure you, your race towards the number one spot in this wonderful school shall not be accompanied without a rival-" A darker-skinned man, with black hair and a streak of green speaks up. Two massive wooden figures manifest behind him as he slowly approaches. The students part like water as he approaches. All except for two.

"And how can I not compete in another race when I'm already so far ahead in my race for-" The newcomer is quickly cut off by someone else, the other not even getting the chance to speak. Is this supposed to be a cutscene in the novel? Or am I just becoming delusional again?

"Dmitry Superbia, Odion Igwe, Arthur Cellavort, Jun Julong, Samira Sakti, and Dorra Malfaar. Please come with me to be directed towards your personal housing." "I am Julong Jun, do not make that error again." one with gold branching horns immediately replies, his voice curt. Yet, all the students seem to look tiredly between each other before the man with two giant tree monsters shrugs.

"Settle this tomorrow?" Collective sounds of agreement from the other 5 spread out. I wonder what time it is? Anyways as they shuffle out and the names of other students are called I actually get a moment to myself. 

. . . 

Finally. Ok, What do I know? I'm in some kind of school for the elite where people have powers of some sort. I need to earn electrum if I want to make my life here significantly easier, or maybe I could just leave entirely? No, with how desperate everyone was to stay here there must be something of high value. I'm going to assume this is a high-quality school.

Also, I died twice and am miraculously still alive somehow. No idea how that works. Though with my first death and my conversation with him, I do know one thing. I've been scammed. Completely and utterly scammed. 

'Become my incarnation!' 'Wake up from the dream!' why does waking up have me constantly plummeting to my death?! A slight shiver passes through me again. I think I'll stay on the ground, thank you very much. 

More importantly . . . I'm in a novel I don't even remember the name of. If I had at least some meta knowledge I could abuse maybe I could get ahead but 'noooooooo' this isn't fair at all! I'd probably have an easier time if I was at least born in this world! 

Though maybe I can recognize some tropes? Do tropes even apply? This is all real, right? 

Would that make those 6 people at the start protagonists? Is one of them the protagonist? Am I even in the setting that takes place in the novel? So many questions and not even an inkling of an answer. 

Damn it. Why does this have to be so hard?

It's probably better to just focus on the now, getting caught up in ideas that I can't even pursue is a waste of time.

. . . 

That's not like me to say at all.

Standing for a moment in mental silence I wonder.

Am I even me anymore? Does it matter? Is this me 'awakened from the dream?' Why do I also have to be aware of how irrelevant this is to my current situation?! Not living the dream sucks! 

Looking around I see most of the students have left the hall leaving me and 4 others. Before I can fully register them a voice draws my attention. A short woman with pointed ears and glasses asks out, "Dayra Timor?"

The shorter girl, the same one near me earlier, slowly walks forward. Short black hair in a bob cut, red eyes, and an expression signaling she definitely doesn't want to be here. She has clothes that seem to be made of different furs. I wonder, If people are being called on in descending order, then we must be the bottom of the barrel. My isekai adventure really has to put me here?

Scribbling in her notebook the elven? Pointed ear lady turns her gaze to the bluish mountain of a man to my right. "It is said Wu Jiang in your culture, correct?"

The man, with stone grey, yet branch-like horns. A scaled, slightly feathered blue tail. A man who could probably throw me, looks down with bloodshot eyes, and clenched fists. His head slowly shaking side to side.

"Please, refer to me as Jiang. My actions have brought shame to the name Wu. This foolish hatchling has made a grave mistake and shall only reclaim its wings when honor accompanies it." Tears begin to leak from his eyes and pepper the soft wooden floor beneath us. Getting a reality check during initiation must have been hard for him. I know it certainly was for me . . .

Her notes continue as she calls out another name with slowly widening eyes. "V-Vivian Orga Cellavort" A large blond woman wearing a thick blue robe stomps forward her emerald-orange eyes locking with mine for a moment. Isn't that the same name as someone from the top rank? Do these ranks even have names? 

"Don't lump me in with the dregs. My presence here is solely because of the interference from my awful brother." A slow nod from the shorter woman who then turns to a guy who seems to be sulking in the corner.

"Hector Lombardi?" she projects out. The man slowly stands up. Tanned skin and light brown hair. "This is junk." mumbles out of his mouth, his lifeless brown eyes slowly turning towards the woman as he straightens his overalls that seem to have a large number of empty pockets. "I'll take that as a confirmation."

"Uhm, Mercury . . . No last name?" looking around the room no one seems to step forward, instead they all seem to be looking at me. 

"Mr. Mercury?" ohshitthatsmyname. Or at least the name of this body? I'll need to worry about that later.

"Yes! Haha" I awkwardly shamble forward, my legs still shaking slightly causing me to nearly stumble onto my face as a large hand grabs me before I plummet to what would most likely be my third death. Turning my head I see the eyes of a worried Dragon man who helps pull me on my feet.

"Thank you for saving me" I breathe out, that guy has no idea how much trouble he just saved me.

"Consider it scattered in the riverbed" I'm going to assume that we are cool. His confused gaze makes me wonder how strange I must seem. Well at least that's everyone, so we can finally-

"Maryam I-Illar" the short woman looks confused for a brief moment looking around. As though she didn't exist a moment before I suddenly hear footsteps from behind the tall blond woman. 

An almond-skinned woman walks forward. Shoulder-length white hair and golden eyes seem to scan us. She seems to be wearing clothes as poor quality as me . . . The blond woman however seems to nearly jump backward as where the white-haired lady gives a slight nod towards the short woman.

"Absolutely not, I am NOT being lumped in the same group as an Idja!" What in the world is an Idja? Worlds? Whatever 'it' is everyone seems to take a slight step back. Including what I can only assume to be the teacher. For a moment it's silent and the teacher clears her throat. 

"Let's go ahead and get you youngsters sorted. Once I get you to where you'll be staying you can argue amongst yourselves. You can call me Ms. Lavender." 

"Don't just ignore me!" Wow, she's almost as loud as that Dmitry guy!

Despite her protests, we all start following Ms. Lavender outside of the gigantic hall. You can really only get a sense of how big something is sometimes when it's empty. Also, you didn't just have a near-death experience. Going through the previously opened stone double doors we take a step outside. 

The air is crisp, light twinkles down from the sky, and the sound of small animals gently flow from the forest in front of our group. Though, most eye catchingly, 6 moons hang in the sky. Their colors, Red, Blue, Brown, White, Green, and Gray.

Bringing my eyes down from the sky I see a beaten path that Ms. Lavender begins to tread down. 

"Your dorm is slightly farther away than the rest of the students, but also comes with a nice nature walk and plenty of time to talk to your dorm members!" chipper in her tone she nearly dances down the path as it starts to angle downwards lightly. Passing through a few trees I see what can only be our new dorm.

At least 5 miles away.

Immediately I hear groans come from behind me.

This is going to be a long walk, isn't it?