The Day of Academy Enrollment Dawned
The day of academy enrollment had finally arrived. Since Estelle wasn't here today to cast teleportation magic for us, we set out at dawn to avoid the traffic jams.
I'd considered heading there the day before, but my parents wanted me to sleep at home if possible, even if it meant leaving at the crack of dawn.
"Dad, let me know if you get tired. I have a driver's license, after all."
I'd never driven this body before, so who knows, but even in my previous life, I'd been pretty good at it—or at least, familiar enough. I figured I'd manage just fine.
"Tired? What're you talkin' about? It's on autopilot anyway."
Well, fair point. No need for me to take over the wheel here—the self-driving system was top-notch. The holographic smartphones were the same; overall, this world had science a step ahead of the Earth I'd known. But with emperors and all that still hanging around, it was kinda weird.
Did they fail to scrap the class system but nail the tech? Nah, who overthinks world-building in a game? They probably just thought, "This'll look cool," and rolled with it.
"It's been ages since we've been to the city center, hasn't it, dear?"
Mom said it with this excited sparkle in her eyes as she looked at Dad.
"Yeah. Ain't had no reason to go myself. Let's drop the kid off and have ourselves a date on the way back."
"Oh, that sounds perfect!"
Oh right—parents are a couple too. I'd totally forgotten. Meanwhile, here I was in my prime, with zero time for a girlfriend. Talk about unfair parents.
Anyway, we arrived in their car with two hours to spare before the ceremony.
"We left a bit early, huh. Well, you two go on and enjoy your date."
"Hehe, yeah. Shame we can't even watch the entrance ceremony. Son, you'll come home during break, right?"
"Uh, we'll see."
If some event popped up, I might not make it, so I kept it vague.
"Alright, won't see ya for a while then. Come back all grown up."
After saying goodbye to Dad too, they drove off elsewhere.
"Hm, left all alone now."
Two hours before the ceremony, and not many students had arrived yet. Figuring I'd head in first, I showed my acceptance letter to the knights guarding the academy gates. They scanned the QR code on it and gave the nod.
"You're good to enter."
"Welcome, Theo."
"Thanks."
Passing the welcoming knights, I finally stepped onto the academy grounds. The place was village-sized, so finding the auditorium for the ceremony would definitely take some effort.
"Oh, this'll do for registration."
Luckily, there was a QR code for downloading the academy's internal map on my smartphone. I scanned it quick and loaded it up. It showed everywhere I could go, spots off-limits, my current location, popular routes—everything laid out nice and clear.
"To the auditorium... ah, there it is."
Clicking the auditorium started the path guide, and arrows appeared before my eyes. Back when I first possessed this body, the holograms had me jumping every time, but now? I was used to it. Not so shocking anymore.
Following the arrows, I made it to the auditorium without issue. Huh, ten minutes from the gate. Other spots would take time too, probably. With classes in different buildings, checking travel times ahead sounded smart. It gave averages, but it'd be best to log my own pace for accuracy.
"Theo-nim!"
As I arrived and hunted for my seat, a familiar voice called out.
"Ah, Estelle!"
It had been a while. She looked a tad plumper than last time, her face and hair practically glowing with health.
"Looks like you've been eating well and living good."
"Pfft, no way! I've been thinking about you all day, every day, Theo-nim!"
"Says the one practically shining."
As we bantered playfully, nearby students glanced our way. They were already eyeing Estelle, but seeing some nobody call her "-nim" and chat like friends? Must've been confusing.
"Oh, this is my personal maid, Bessy. She's only here till the ceremony, then heading back to the Holy Empire."
"Hello, I'm Bessy."
The girl bowed politely, her braided pigtails standing out. The freckles under her eyes looked cute—probably 'cause she had that knack for a killer smile.
"Ah, hi. I'm Theo. Fellow enrollee with Estelle, and her magic student, I guess."
"Ugh, student? Nah, you're just a friend, so I taught you."
She'd apparently erased Duncan calling her over before we were even friends.
"Anyway, Bessy's great, so I had to introduce her to you, Theo-nim!"
As Estelle said that, a game scene flashed in my mind. Definitely from Les Mode playthrough: Estelle introducing her maid to Lina von Maria, and Iris snarking about it. That sparked a feud—endless bickering, and if you didn't stop it right, boom, bad end.
Oh crap, gotta block this.
"Looks like everyone's here."
Right on cue, Iris strolled over slowly.
"Theo-nim, long time no see. Estelle, you too."
Why's her tone so different with me versus her? Come on, girl.
"Bringing your maid, huh?"
Ah, yeah! That's how it starts!Iris questions the maid, Estelle doesn't explain she's temporary, and Iris hits with some snide "You can't do anything alone, can you?" line. Fight on.
"Yeah, got a problem?"
Before she could finish, I cut in and asked Bessy directly: "Wow, personal maid sounds awesome. What all do you do, Bessy?"
"Oh, up to bathing assistance. But Lady Saintess prefers doing things solo, so I don't get to help much."
That probably shut down any "can't do anything alone" jab coming from Bessy's mouth. Glancing at Iris, she just watched silently, no follow-up.
"Still a shame. Academy life would've been more fun with you too, Bessy."
"Totally. If I got to hang with someone great like Theo-nim, it'd be a blast!"
"... Bessy, back to your seat."
We were vibing fine, but Estelle's face hardened suddenly, shooing her off. What? Did I mess up again...? Should I cheer her up or just find my seat? I pondered.
"Ah, Theo-nim! Your seat's this way! I saved it for you earlier!"
Estelle switched back to her smiley self, hesitating before grabbing my sleeve and leading me to the spot with my name.
"Looking for your seat? You could've just asked me. I arranged all the seating."
Iris looked a bit sulky, but come on—with you two distracting me, I forgot about seats entirely.
"Haha, sorry. Was so flustered I blanked on finding it. Thanks for the help, Estelle."
"Hm, guess I'll head to mine then."
Iris, who'd been staring as I thanked Estelle, spun around—and plopped into the seat next to me.
"Huh? Iris, your seat's here?"
"Yes, it is."
Don't most places separate royals, nobles, and commoners until the ceremony...?
"Estelle's at the far end, front row. FYI."
"Heh, playing it like this, are we?"
"What do you mean?"
"......"
Felt like sparks flying between them again.
"Whatever. No need for petty games—I'm closer to Theo-nim anyway~"
Closer to me? And? You two should fall for each other, girls!
"Petty? I just mixed the seats to emphasize the academy's equality."
Fair. An entrance ceremony preaching equality for commoners, nobles, and royals—but with segregated seating? Kinda stiff. People complained, but voices weren't loud enough for change. Guess Iris overhauled it this time.
"Yeah, this is impressive, Iris."
"Right? I worked hard on it, Theo-nim!"