Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Grand Royal Academy Entrance Ceremony
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***
“Han Cheon-seong. You're in C1?”
“Yeah. Class C1.”
I answered, trying my best to feign composure.
She was in Class A1, just like the protagonist of the novel. I, on the other hand, was in C1.
In a way, Class C1 could be seen as somewhere between the middle and lower ranks.
But in reality, the difference between Class A and Class C was like heaven and earth.
Having read the entire novel, I felt that difference even more keenly.
“I guess getting into Class B was too much to ask.”
“Well, I'm only a Common. Class B was probably a long shot.”
Though I answered calmly, I wasn't as upset as I thought I'd be.
Even now, I could see people desperately shoving each other aside, trying to find their names on the posted lists.
“Get out of the way!”
“Please! I just need a second to check.”
“Seriously, move! You think I've got all day?”
"...Is my name really not even in Class D?"
Exchanging harsh words, they were frantic to find their names on the acceptance list.
Watching them from a step back, my heart began to calm down.
Most of the people I could see wouldn't make it into Class D, let alone Class C.
In other words, they were the ones who had 'failed' to get into the academy.
At least I was much better off than them.
Once I resigned myself to that fact, accepting reality was surprisingly easy.
‘Right. I'm a Common.’
Hoping for Class B was greedy from the start.
Even if Kalli had given me a good evaluation, it seemed I had been dreaming too big.
“Still, Han Cheon-seong. If you're in C1, you can move up to Class B pretty quickly, right?”
Hearing her voice beside me, I let out a hollow laugh.
“Quickly…?”
“Yeah, quickly. It's only one level apart.”
When our eyes met, she spoke as if it were a simple matter. For a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Glacia was in Class A—and Class A1, at that, a very high rank. She probably saw Class B as an easy hurdle.
From her perspective... she was right.
The problem was that it wouldn't be so easy for me...
I swallowed silently and nodded.
“Yeah. I'll have to work for it.”
After what I'd said yesterday, I couldn't afford to look dejected or lacking in confidence.
Glacia was interested in my confident, self-assured side.
I had to appear confident in front of her, no matter what.
At the same time, I found myself looking at Glacia again.
"..."
Glacia, her blue hair fluttering in the gentle breeze, was strikingly beautiful. Seeing her this close, I was reminded of how pretty she was, but also what an oddball she was.
This girl had passed with incredibly high scores, landing her in Class A1, yet she was genuinely showing interest in me.
Enough to call out to me first and ask which class I'd gotten into.
It was something that wouldn't normally happen.
Her words about wanting to spend time with me now felt certain, believable.
As I watched her, though, something in the back of my mind bothered me.
‘If she's in Class A1, she's bound to get involved with Leonhardt.’
As far as I knew, the protagonist of this novel was Leonhardt.
Now that Glacia was in the same class as him, she would 'inevitably' get entangled with the guy.
‘In that case...’
I could give her advice or help her in some way.
Because I knew all the incidents and accidents that were going to happen.
Of course, Glacia being assigned to A1 was unexpected, but I figured the grand scheme of things wouldn't change.
Then I could help Glacia, at least indirectly.
Not with strength, but with knowledge.
Organizing my thoughts, I cautiously spoke up.
“So, Glacia. Have you thought about how often we should meet at the academy?”
When we talked yesterday, we'd agreed to spend time together.
We had even made a rather detailed promise to decide when to meet once we both got into the academy.
It would be a bit much for us to seek each other out in our respective classes, so I'd left it to Glacia to decide when we would meet, and she was supposed to give me an answer today.
“Yes. I've decided.”
As she met my gaze and answered, I grew a little curious.
“How often are we going to meet?”
As I asked, I thought that once a week seemed about right.
Class A received special attention compared to the lower classes, so they had more classes and assignments.
I was even thinking we might meet just twice a month, not even once a week.
“Three times a week.”
Glacia's answer completely defied my expectations.
“...You want to meet three times a week?”
“Yes. I heard Class A has a lot of classes and assignments, so that should be about right.”
Despite seeming to know a bit about Class A, Glacia spoke to me so calmly.
Asking to meet three times a week.
And seeing no hint of a joke in her eyes, I found it rather fascinating.
‘Does she really want to understand me that much?’
Even as I thought this, I found myself nodding.
If Glacia was the one suggesting we meet often, I was all for it.
Since she was in the same class as Leonhardt, there would be more I could help her with.
And because of that, there would surely be some perks in it for me.
'There's still hope.‘
The hope named Glacia.
But that thought was short-lived.
“...Wait. Glacia. Let's make it twice a week.”
I immediately changed my tune.
If I agreed to everything Glacia said, I might look like a yes-man. Considering our positions, I needed to play a little hard to get.
“…Why?”
“Why, you ask...”
“Wouldn't meeting three times be better for you too, Han Cheon-seong?”
She asked as if it were obvious that meeting three times was better, and her attitude made me unconsciously glance around.
“...Ahem.”
“Hmph.”
People who met my gaze immediately looked away.
As expected, there were a few people staring at us with envious eyes.
Which made me even more dumbfounded.
‘Anyone watching would think we were a couple having a conversation.’
The talk of meeting often had that subtle implication.
I cleared my throat before continuing.
“Glacia, I have my own classes, and I also need to train my trait separately. Of course, I'm probably more free than you, being in Class A. But I'm a Common, right? That means I have to work that much harder.”
After I answered with a reply that was about 80% truth, Glacia looked at me with dissatisfaction before reluctantly nodding.
“...I suppose that's true. After all, you are a Common.”
Even though I'd said I was a Common, hearing Glacia say it back to me felt incredibly strange.
...An unsettling feeling.
“So, twice a week it is?”
“Fine. I get it, twice. Tuesdays and Sundays. 6 PM in front of the dorms. Don't forget, Han Cheon-seong.”
“Tuesdays and Sundays. 6 PM in front of the dorms. Got it, I'll be there.”
As I replied, I realized Glacia had really thought through the details.
'That's reasonable.'
6 PM was after classes ended, so it shouldn't be a problem.
After chatting with her for a bit, we decided there was no reason to stay here any longer, and Glacia and I naturally headed to yesterday's cafe.
The stares from those around us were getting on my nerves...
The few looks of disdain directed at me were almost laughable.
‘Anyway, when you're with a pretty girl...’
You're bound to attract all kinds of attention.
That was one of the unchanging truths, even if my world had shifted from reality to a novel.
***
After that, time flew by, and the day of the entrance ceremony arrived.
—The Grand Royal Academy Entrance Ceremony.
Among the many events held at the Grand Royal Academy, the entrance ceremony was known as one of the grandest.
It was no exaggeration to say that the children of countless nobles, from the imperial family down to the high-ranking dukes and marquesses, all enrolled in the Grand Royal Academy.
As renowned figures attended to accompany their enrolling children, the academy had to make the entrance ceremony as splendid and magnificent as possible to display its authority.
Above all, they couldn't allow the academy attended by royalty to be perceived as insignificant.
….
“Seeing it in person... it feels completely different.”
Entering the Grand Royal Academy's grand auditorium, Cheon-seong couldn't help but gasp in awe.
The space was vast enough to be compared to a domed stadium in my old world, and I was once again struck by the academy's absurd scale and grandeur.
*Rustle.*
I needlessly straightened my clothes, taking a look at my uniform.
A student uniform with a curious design, a mix of blue and black.
This was my first time setting foot in the academy wearing the Class C uniform I'd been issued, and I couldn't help but wonder why even the entrance ceremony was so extravagant.
*Step.*
*Step.*
As I made my way through the massive crowd to find my seat, my eyes darted everywhere.
I spotted people in obviously extravagant attire, likely high-ranking nobles, but what really caught my eye were the golden-armored knights guarding the imperial family. I couldn't help but stare.
‘Come to think of it, even the prince and princess are at the entrance ceremony.’
They, who would normally be in the inaccessible realm of Class S, were now in the same room as me.
I saw an adult man and woman, escorted by those sharp, imposing golden knights.
They looked like siblings, and what stood out most was their brilliant blond hair.
‘I guess looks really do run in the family.’
They exuded an aura of nobility far greater than the novel's descriptions... their looks were truly admirable.
The blond man with a sharp, strong presence was named Dersen Ruabella, and the delicate, gentle-looking blond woman was Rachel Ruabella.
They were fairly important characters, so I was watching them closely, but... I had to turn my head away.
'What a glare...'
One of the imperial knights was glaring daggers at me, and a chill ran down my spine, making it impossible to look any longer.
I finally found my designated spot, a seat with a placard that read 'C1'.
'Class C.'
It was a real shame I wasn't in Class B, but thinking it was better to be the head of a snake, I took a seat.
”You. What do you think you're doing, sitting next to me?”
A sharp voice snapped from right beside me.