Chapter 8: A New Semester Brimming with Dreams and Hopes
The new semester was finally here. It was a season of dreams and fresh starts. The grand auditorium was packed to the brim. Freshmen looked nervous. Returning students looked bored. Up on the platform, the opening ceremony was in full swing.
"Er... so, the semester starts today. I know you're all excited. But please. Pull yourselves together. Focus on your studies. And don't be sad that vacation is over. There will be another one. Eventually."
The speaker had a long white beard. He held a gnarled wooden staff. He was the perfect image of an archmage. This was Gandelph. He was the principal of Salenium Academy. He didn't wear robes, though. He wore a crisp, expensive suit. He was an eccentric man. He had mastered dimensional magic for one reason: laziness. He used it to slip away to other worlds whenever he wanted. But he had to be here today. The student council president was his granddaughter. Even a lazy archmage couldn't skip out on her.
"Some of you had big incidents over the break. Some didn't. Regardless, I hope you manage. Live well. Graduate. Become fine people. Granddaughter, Grandpa is leaving now."
Gandelph's eyes were dull. He looked at me in my obscure corner for a moment. I met his gaze with total indifference. Then, he simply dissolved into smoke. He was gone.
"...D-did he just die?" a freshman stammered. He looked terrified. Of course, he hadn't died. His real body was already in another dimension. The clone had just timed out. The old man was finally going home to rest.
"He stuck around longer than usual," an upperclassman noted. "Yeah. It's because of his granddaughter." They weren't surprised at all. They were just debating his endurance record. A brief silence followed. Then, the emcee spoke up. Her voice was shaking.
"Um, next... the freshman pledge. From the top entrant of the Knight Faculty. Er... Her pledge."
She looked like she was afraid to even say the name. "Ebnis Rothschild de Repelheit. The sub-marquess."
The auditorium went deathly silent. Every student knew that name. The Repelheits were the Lords of the West. Their power was second only to the Emperor himself. Ebnis was the confirmed heir. She wasn't just another noble. She was a future titan.
I pulled my hood over my head. I knew this scene from the game. Ebnis was supposed to give a sorrowful speech. But as she walked up, something felt wrong. She looked steady. Her posture was perfect. Her golden hair swayed. Her blue eyes were sharp. She had a plain longsword at her waist.
"Greetings. I am Ebnis Rothschild de Repelheit."
Her bold voice filled the hall. It was the same voice that had condemned me. She gave the standard noble thanks. But then, she stopped. She went off-script.
"I know this is an official occasion. Personal feelings shouldn't matter. But... just for today, please overlook my impertinence."
I tensed up. This wasn't in the game. What was she doing? She took a deep breath. Then, she pointed her finger straight at the crowd. Straight at me.
"Adrian! You! Are you listening? If you cause one more incident, I won't let it slide! You, hiding there under that hood!"
Every head turned. The students near me scrambled away. I was left in the spotlight. "Adrian? The wastrel?" "Is he really here?" Suddenly, a gust of wind pulled my hood back. My face was exposed. It was shitty timing. My mind went blank for a second. This is fucked. I had to shut her up. I had to end this now.
"Adrian! You're right the—"
"Enough."
My mouth moved on its own. I didn't hesitate. I lifted my chin with total arrogance. I locked eyes with my sister. "This is Salenium. Not Repelheit. You seem to have forgotten that, you fool."
"...Ha!"
Ebnis's lips twisted. The audience gasped. I spoke with a cold, piercing dignity. Bloodline Dignity made me sound like a king. "Shut your mouth. Mind your words, freshman. Know your place."
I didn't give her a second to respond. I had to keep the upper hand. She couldn't afford to fight me here.
The ceremony ended in chaos. I went straight to class. I took a seat in the back of the lecture hall. Reina sat right next to me. People were staring because of the scene with Ebnis. But no one dared to speak out loud.
"Adrian... was that too harsh? She is your sister."
Reina knew Ebnis. They weren't on bad terms. But Ebnis and I had crossed a line. We were trying to destroy each other. I looked at Reina. "The opening ceremony is a public stage. Do you know what it means to invoke family there?"
Reina nodded slowly. "The heir apparent is publicly attacking her own house. Even if I am exiled, it looks bad. The Repelheits must set an example. She let her emotions lead to disgraceful conduct. I was stopping her from making a massive mistake."
It wasn't exactly the truth. But it was a good excuse. Reina smiled. "I see. Your words are like thorns. But inside, you are different. You've always been like that." She looked at me with a soft expression. "Even in the carriage. You told me to find a new fiancé. My father wants the breakup, too. It was in the papers this morning. You are disowned. Your reputation is gone."
It made sense. Why would a top magic house stay with a wastrel? "But I won't do it," Reina said brightly. "The moment we break it off, I am the jilted woman. And besides... even if you are worthless, I don't care. I know you best."
"Reina. Lower your voice."
"Oops." She giggled. "Anyway, keep that in mind. I'm excited for class." She opened her book. I stayed silent. I watched the podium. Clack. Clack. The professor was coming.
"Greetings."
A man entered. He wore a shabby olive-green robe. His brown hair was tied back. He looked like a traveler, not a professor. He held a slim book in his hand. "My name is Walnut Nuttstr. Just call me Walnut."
I recognized him. This was the professor players hated. "There are no ranks in my class," he said. "I'll address you all casually. Any objections?" No one spoke. "Good. I handle second-year theory and application. And it begins now."
I knew this episode. This was the "Touch and Run." It was famously difficult. It was a nightmare for new players.
Professor Walnut levitated a chair to the center. "Lectures are boring," he said. He snapped his fingers. The mana in the air shifted. "So, we're having a quiz. But not a written one. I hate those. They are too rigid."
He swept everything off the podium with a gust of wind. He sat on the single chair and crossed his legs. He opened his book. "The test is simple. If even one of you touches me, it's over. You can use your hands. You can use magic. Anything goes."
He didn't look at the students. He just started reading. "Begin. There is no time limit. But if you can't catch me, class won't end today."