Waking up in an unfamiliar world with no memories, I had only one advantage, a mind filled with knowledge of fictional tropes, clichés, and common sense learned from countless novels.

At first, I thought I was trapped in a romcom nightmare when I started triggering events like "Helping a Girl on a Rainy Day", "Damsel in Distress", and "Tripping Into the Heroine’s Arms." Naturally, I shut those nonsense down before they could escalate. No forced romances. No misunderstandings. No cringe.

But something was clearly off.

The world wasn’t just a slice-of-life comedy. 

Beneath the cliché academy setting, there were whispers of awakening powers, hidden dangers, and a brutal magic academy entrance exam. 

And every challenge I prevented or manipulated was an opportunity to grow stronger.

[Title Earned: Background Character.]
[Achievement Unlocked: Firm Mind.]
[New Skill Acquired: Background Character's Aura.]
[New Ability Acquired: Anti-Narrative Influence.]

I may be just a background character, but if fate insists on throwing these events at me, I’ll turn them into stepping stones.

Let the protagonists play their scripted roles — I have my own path to power.

<She's not y-!> Cassandra stopped abruptly, cutting herself off.


<She's not what?> Aman asked, curiosity piqued.


<W-well...> Cassandra floundered for a moment, searching for a plausible excuse. She certainly couldn't say 'she's not you'.


<Well... She's still so young, and she's been... down, since your 'death'. She's handling it, but she's still a kid at heart.>


<...Yeah,> Aman nodded, a shadow of guilt passing behind his eyes. <That's true.>


<But don't worry,> Cassandra added, her tone softening with genuine reassurance. <She will be fine.>


<I am sure she will,> he agreed, a small, grateful smile returning to his lips. <She's got you after all.>


<Mmm,> Cassandra nodded, sneaking another glance at Aman. The glimpse of his true self had faded, but the memory of it lingered, a warm, unsettling echo in her chest.


Chapter 370 - The Collision