Lamieli Academy Entrance Ceremony (4)
'This... is the entrance ceremony?'
Zeke had imagined students lined up in rows in a grand auditorium or something similar, since it was an academy entrance ceremony.
He'd even roughly prepared what to say on the podium during the introductions.
No, even without that, he had some preconceived image in mind.
But this wasn't among them.
A clearing a short distance from the main building.
Trees and flowers in various shapes bloomed vibrantly, as if meticulously tended by the gardeners.
Musicians playing grand pianos, violins, flutes, and more—summoned by the academy, no doubt—filled the air with their instruments.
Here and there in the clearing, tables draped in white cloth were set up,
and atop them, buffet-style foods were replenished with fresh dishes whenever they cooled.
People in butler attire wandered with wine bottles, refilling students' glasses whenever they emptied.
"Here! Top off my wine!"
"Yes, sir."
Students clutched their glasses one by one, scanning their surroundings like predators hunting prey as they moved about.
Attendants trailed diligently behind them, assisting as needed.
What the hell is this, some kind of train game? Lined up like goddamn sausages... They could've at least warned me the academy entrance ceremony was like this, Serena.
Zeke had heard from Serena's lessons about what noble banquets were like,
but he'd never seen one firsthand, so it hadn't quite clicked.
One student bumping into another,
chatting briefly before parting and seeking out someone new...
Hmm, some kind of networking game, huh.
His gaze drifted to a table where older-looking individuals had gathered.
"I hear two duke's daughters enrolled this time."
"Yustia's no surprise, but the other...?"
"Yohayden, they say."
"No kidding! Yohayden! Their lady's come to Lamieli too. Do you know her major by any chance?"
"Knight Studies Department."
"Knight Studies? Why would a duke's daughter go for that?"
A professor who overheard Serena's major—Knight Studies—widened his eyes.
"Beats me. Probably just a hobby. Either way, the professors in that department better shape up."
"Heh, a duke's daughter majoring in Knight Studies... Oh, you're from the Cloud County family, right? Here, have a drink. How's the family head doing? Reminds me of that time ten years ago in Elay when we went for massages together! So anyway, back in Elay then..."
The professors thus held court at the central table,
chuckling away as they swapped stories about academy affairs.
They occasionally accepted drinks offered by students and exchanged pleasantries.
While they enjoyed this harmonious noble gathering,
Zeke stood alone in the corner like a solitary island.
Of course, as the top instructor in this romance fantasy,
having crash-coursed under Serena-sensei, he could've probably handled inserting himself among them.
But recalling how Serena always sighed over the body's lack of etiquette and its bluntly erupting words,
he figured staying put like this was better.
Besides, eavesdropping on the whole thing from here gathers more intel than chit-chatting.
Standing there stone-faced and imposing, he deterred nobles who glanced his way and hesitated to approach.
Hmm, but the Second Prince still hasn't shown? Higher ranks arrive fashionably late, right... So who's the heroine?
Mulling this over, Zeke scanned each female student's face one by one.
Then, the academy principal approached him.
He too was dressed in formal attire befitting the occasion, looking relieved now that one ordeal was over.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Not used to places like this."
"I see."
Zeke glanced around. Then he noticed something odd.
"Got a question, though."
"What is it?"
"Are all the new students here? Seems too few for a whole grade."
Sure, adding all the servants trailing each noble made for a crowd,
but not all of them were students.
"Ah, only nobles here."
"I see... So where are the commoners?"
"Hmm... You're an odd one."
The principal stared piercingly, sizing Zeke up.
"I hear you're connected to a duke's family. Why ask about that?"
"Just seemed strange."
"Strange, you say...? Well, if you don't know much about the academy, I suppose."
The principal nodded.
Zeke hadn't received the month-long pre-entrance professor orientation.
So his question made some sense, but...
The principal surveyed the entrance ceremony grounds he'd prepared for a month.
Memories of the toil brought tears pricking at his eyes.
Hmm. He gauged Zeke.
Connected to a duke's house yet concerned for commoners. Why? Some agenda...? Better test him.
"Do you know the academy's most emphasized rule?"
"Yes. Equality."
"Right. Ironic, in an empire with such rigid classism."
Equality. He'd heard it from Serena.
All Lamieli students, regardless of status, were treated as equals.
But he knew it was ultimately nominal.
"The founding principal set that rule, but even I don't know why. Later excuses piled on... Honestly, it's laughable. Proposals to reinstate class distinctions come up every year."
"Friends until graduation, then status reasserts itself upon entering society?"
"Exactly. You can't escape the class wall forever. Imagine a commoner treated as an equal with nobles during academy days, only to be bound by status the moment they get their diploma. How's that feel?"
Zeke recalled Earth's 'citizen revolutions' or similar.
He didn't remember details, but blood had flowed like rivers to shatter feudalism.
Once tasting freedom, submitting again wouldn't be easy.
"They'd... harbor resentment."
"Spot on. That's why we make them feel the gap from the start. Freedom here is just a sweet illusion. Don't delude yourselves. You're different from the moment you enter."
Zeke let out a hollow chuckle.
"Covering the sky with the palm of your hand."
"Nice metaphor. Yes. Just a stopgap."
Listening, a bolt of realization struck Zeke's mind.
Don't tell me... the heroine's a commoner!?
As evident, this romance-fantasy empire rigidly upheld its class system.
But what if a talented, beautiful commoner girl from humble origins appeared amid that?
Her rising through entanglements with princes or lofty nobles was romance fantasy canon.
Hard for a slum commoner to cross paths with them in daily life.
But an academy nominally classless?
Even with equality as a baseless rule—classic protagonist favoritism.
And the villainess is Yustia's Iriel...
A full cliché novel wove together in his head from what he'd seen.
High noble villainess crushes on the commoner heroine's male lead, schemes out of jealousy, gets schooled... It's convincing!
No telling when all new students would gather like this again.
This might be his only early shot to find the heroine in the vast academy.
No—confirm first.
"Principal."
"Hm?"
"Any other events where all new students gather like this?"
"Well... A few big ones, but attendance is optional... Graduation ceremony, maybe."
"Do nobles' and commoners' ceremonies end simultaneously?"
"No. Nobles' runs longer."
Guess I gotta go now.
Confirming villainess Iriel Yustia or the Second Prince here was important too.
But he already knew they existed and their names.
Waiting for the prince to stalk the protagonist was inefficient.
If he spotted her at the ceremony and snagged her for his class?
Helping the heroine would be a breeze.
Problem: he didn't know her face or name.
As a commoner, she'll stand out. They'd give her standout pluses to offset that minus for heroine cred.
Zeke grew urgent.
"Where are the commoners?"
"Banquet hall behind the main building."
"Mind if I go there?"
"Hm?"
The principal furrowed his brow.
The Yohayden and Yustia duke's ladies hadn't arrived yet.
They haven't even shown, and he wants to leave? What's this guy's deal? Orders to scout commoners early?
He couldn't just let Zeke go.
Unclear which house planted him,
but everyone knew those two houses were at odds.
Before he arrived, one side demanded secrecy about him, the other to hunt him down—chaos.
If Yohayden's lady hadn't come personally, the academy might've had to reject him outright.
Caught between the titans lately, the principal felt like a shrimp about to burst.
His lush hair had thinned from stress.
And a professor skipping greetings at the entrance ceremony? Unthinkable!
The principal hardened his expression seriously.
Even if ordered, anyone with etiquette respects the principal's authority.
"Say your greetings first."
"In a hurry."
"Greetings first."
"In a hurry."
"No, just greet and go!"
"In a hurry."
This guy's impossible to reason with!
The principal's eyes shook like an earthquake.
Then, a sturdy-built blond middle-aged man approached.
Green eyes, flashy mismatched attire—gaudy, lacking Zeke's refined air.
Looked cheap.
This guy's the real comic relief.
Zeke stifled a smirk. Nice body, though.
"Principal, what's the matter?"
"Ah, Sir Dios."
"Yes. The entrance ceremony schedule starts soon. What're you doing out here...? Hm? And this is?"
Dios turned.
Black hair, fierce eyes, dressed like high nobility.
Young-looking—student? Rare black hair... Who?
Zeke introduced himself first.
"Zeke Clayman, swordsmanship instructor."
"Ah? Oh! You!"
Dios's eyes blazed at the name.
This bastard. Finally.
Because of him, Dios had doubled his unnecessary work the past month.
A mere ex-soldier lowborn! Not even a general.
He, former Black Dragon Knights captain of Redwood County, had been outranked.
Swallowed it because of duke connections and academy helplessness,
but he'd ground his teeth in rage.
Fury surged, but Dios assessed the situation.
Not now. Later. I'll pay you back, you damn punk.
"So you're Zeke Clayman. I'm Dios Redwood, swordsmanship instructor."
Dios extended a hand. Zeke frowned.
Forced smile twitching—looked like bad home vibes.
Eh, not important.
"Anyway, I'm off."
"Wait!"
The principal startled, grabbing Zeke.
Dios, hand still awkwardly out, popped a vein on his forehead.
This fucking prick! Ignoring me!?
He withdrew his hand casually and asked.
"What's going on?"
"Dios, talk him down. Instructor Zeke wants to skip greetings and leave the ceremony."
"Skip the entrance greetings...?"
What kind of idiot...? No sense? Ditching royals and dukes' ladies?
Unfathomable by Dios's common sense.
But then... perfect. Second Prince and duke ladies not here yet. If he vanishes, their attention turns to me. They'll see him as rude and arrogant.
Thought he had backing, but just a lucky fool.
Dios grinned brightly.
"Ah, urgent business? Then go ahead! I'll handle your introduction!"
"Sir Dios! You—"
The principal gawked at Dios.
Zeke nodded.
Oh, the kid's got some tact? +1 point.
Zeke gave the principal a cursory bow and swiftly left the ceremony grounds.
Heroine! Take my class!!!!
The noble students had now filled their bellies and exchanged greetings.
Just before the first order of the entrance ceremony began.
"Lady Serena Yohayden of Yohayden Duke's family, entering!"
"Lady Iriel Yustia of Yustia Duke's family, entering!"
The two announcements overlapped. Every head in the venue turned.
"What?"
"Who? Gasp, Yohayden! And Yustia!"
"Yohayden and Yustia together?!"
Students, confused by the overlapping voices, looked to the entrance and jolted in shock.
But the academy avoided the blunder of announcing one first,
opting instead to call both houses simultaneously, odd as it was.
Better to risk etiquette gripes than incur one house's grudge over such trivia.
Why, why are those two arriving together!! Zeke, Zeke Clayman!!!
Of course, the principal had issued that order. Clutching his stabbing gut, he inwardly cursed Zeke's name.
And now, upon entering, they scanned the professors' side, searching for someone!