Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: 46. Academy (1)
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"Hoo..."
Yuri let out a sigh.
He was standing at the academy's entrance ceremony.
"How did it come to this..."
Some time had passed since arriving in the Empire. Somehow, circumstances had led to him enrolling in the academy. Though he was a hero of the Allied Forces, here he was just a lowly first-year student.
As he closed his eyes and lamented his situation, a fierce glare came from a guy seated a short distance away.
He was probably the rival type.
And in another direction, a pretty-faced female student was yawning.
She seemed like the companion who'd share hardships ahead.
Before long, the principal's address came to an end.
The students moved to their assigned classrooms. Strangely enough, Yuri had been placed in the class with the lowest aptitude.
Yuri chose an inconspicuous seat in the middle.
Then, suddenly, a high, beautiful voice rang out from behind.
"Mind moving? I can't see with you blocking the front. The blackboard's hidden because of you."
He turned around to see a familiar face. Yuri's eyes widened.
"Huh? What are you doing here?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
She furrowed her delicate brows.
"Cut the crap and move."
Yuri gazed quietly at her face.
All her features were perfectly packed into that small visage. It had once been familiar, but seeing it again like this, he wondered how he'd ever gotten used to such stunning beauty.
"Ekaterina."
"You know me?"
She tilted her head. Curiosity flickered across her annoyed expression.
Yuri realized.
"This is a crap dream."
"A crap dream?"
"Yeah, a dream."
Right now, he was wandering in a dream world.
"Since it's a dream, I should do what I want."
Yuri shot up from his seat. He glared at Ekaterina.
"To think you'd betray me—I never expected it from you. You're awful, Ena."
Without thinking, he'd used her nickname.
"What nonsense..."
"You little..."
Yuri wanted to slap her cheek, but his hand wouldn't move. Instead, he gathered strength in his finger and flicked her forehead.
It was a prank they'd often done. But unlike before, this time he did it seriously.
It was so hard that Ekaterina's head tore clean off.
"Huh?"
He hadn't meant to kill her, but as her head separated, Yuri froze.
The classmates seated in the room all turned to stare at him in unison.
They all had the same face.
"Murderer."
"Murderer."
"Murderer."
"Murderer."
Countless voices rang out simultaneously, as if from one mouth.
Yuri plugged his ears. The echoes were so overwhelming his ears hurt.
Ekaterina's headless body began to twitch and shake.
Suddenly, a black snake burst out from the severed neck.
***
"Gah!"
Yuri jolted awake.
As he sat up, Jared lay collapsed below the bed, clutching his jaw.
It had been a dream.
He recalled what had just happened.
The black snake lunged, but like the seasoned knight he was, Yuri didn't panic and smashed its jaws.
He thought he'd hit true, but when he opened his eyes, it was reality.
Muttering the line he hadn't finished before waking,
"Too slow."
Jared looked up at him in bewilderment.
"Your Highness?"
"Ah, Jared. Not talking to you."
"Who punches while opening their eyes?"
"Someone jumped me in my dream."
Yuri got out of bed.
His sleep had been restless, leaving him in a foul mood. His overall condition felt down.
Was it the alcohol from yesterday, or this weird dream?
Replaying it made the absurdity hit again.
"After all that, suddenly enrolling in the academy..."
It was a ridiculous progression.
He should've woken up right at the entrance ceremony part.
Good thing it was just a dream.
"Jared, sorry for hitting you unintentionally."
"Apology accepted."
"Want to hear about the dream?"
"Oh, right, Your Highness. You're heading to the Academium today, aren't you?"
"What?"
Yuri stared at him in surprise.
"Why the shock? You're going to the Academium today, right?"
"Oh? Ah, yeah. Right."
Yuri sighed in relief.
"So that's why I had this crap dream."
He had been invited as a special guest lecturer at the Academium.
It started when he put Gott in rehab, creating a connection, and as the continent's most talked-about celebrity right now, the Academium had requested he give a lecture.
Yuri was more than happy to oblige.
"Finally, I can see that guy's face."
"That guy?"
"Edran."
"Ah..."
The one who'd sold drugs to Gott and hired Pamia from behind the scenes.
He'd initially planned to kidnap him, but fearing Yuri's retaliation, Edran always traveled with his family's guards. No chance for a private chat.
But at the Academium, no guards allowed.
Yuri planned to seize this chance for a nice, intimate talk.
"Plus, I can check on the Brioll exchange students."
Hardships abroad deserved royal praise, didn't they?
If they grew disloyal and naturalized in the Empire, it'd be a national loss.
"My jaw hurts."
"Deal with it."
Yuri rose.
"Slept in. Better head out now."
"Yes. Sir Rolang has everything ready."
"Good."
Yuri washed up, donned fresh clothes, strapped Guilty to his waist as always, and left the Duforia Hotel.
A carriage awaited them.
The coachman, already briefed, bowed politely to Yuri.
"To the Academium."
The carriage reached its destination in no time.
The Academium towered in the vast grounds like a fortress.
Through the windows, students attended classes; outside, on the training grounds, others practiced swordsmanship.
Not bad levels.
"This is it. Where I'll lecture."
Yuri disembarked, paid the fare, and entered.
Rumors of high tuition were true—the facilities were luxurious.
Carpets lined the corridors past the entrance, walls adorned with portraits and bios of the Academium's famous alumni.
The dean came to greet him.
"Your Highness, thank you for accepting our invitation."
"And you are?"
"I'm Peter, dean of the Academium."
"Pleased to meet you."
Peter had risen to fame as a scholar, not a swordsman or mage. No deep aura, but his round eyes behind glasses sparkled with intellect.
"Never thought you'd really come. The swordsmanship department students are especially excited."
"Swordsmanship department, huh."
Gott, whom he'd hospitalized, and Dale, who'd lured him to the Duforia Hotel, were both in swordsmanship.
Recalling Dale, whom he couldn't imagine learning the sword, Yuri asked,
"Out of curiosity, do they get expelled if their skills are too low?"
"No, not at all. They just train in the lower aptitude classes."
"I see."
"Why do you ask?"
"Met a swordsmanship student once—weak enough I couldn't believe he was learning the sword."
"Hahaha..."
The dean laughed.
"Can't say we don't have those. Poor kids pushed by their families."
"Figures."
"Shall we head to the lecture hall?"
The dean led the way up the stairs.
On the third floor, beyond grand doors, a vast auditorium unfolded. Audience seats rose to the ceiling around the central podium.
Yuri nodded.
"Spacious."
"Yes. All departments' students are attending."
"Fit them all?"
"Of course."
Yuri smiled.
"When does the lecture start?"
"After this class ends. There's a waiting room—want a separate rest area?"
"No need. I'll stay here."
"Understood. The other lecturer will arrive soon."
"How many total?"
"Just two."
"Got it."
Behind the podium was a large room for lecturers to rest.
No sooner had he sat than Yuri confessed,
"Problem."
"What?"
"Haven't decided what to lecture on."
"Pardon?"
"What should I do?"
"Then why accept?"
"Gotta get in here to kill or beat Edran, right?"
"You accepted for that? Your Highness, really..."
Jared chuckled dryly. Rolang, beside him, advised seriously,
"Talk about your Allied Forces exploits, mix in some lessons, pretend you found great meaning. Fill with life advice."
"Good idea. Rolang, you're sneakily cynical."
"N-no, just for Your Highness..."
Meanwhile, noise stirred outside. Staff spoke with someone, then the door opened.
"Why do I have to lecture here?"
"Please understand. You've already accepted..."
"I said I can't."
"Sorry, canceling today is too..."
"I said no—problem?"
"No."
A robed mage.
Forties, his prickly temperament plain on his face.
Furrowed brow, wrinkles spreading across his forehead when complaining.
"As if these kids'll understand my lecture..."
Then his eyes landed on Yuri.
He narrowed one eye.
"What's this? Little kids?"
"Probably the other lecturer..."
"Academium's hit rock bottom."
Yuri tilted his head.
No one had picked a fight since the Imperial Monthly interview.
Did someone in the capital not know his face from the papers?
Jared whispered,
"Seems blind."
"Yeah?"
"Squints every time he talks. Can't see, that's why."
"Thought he was just ugly-tempered."
"That too. Blind and nasty."
The mage snapped,
"What're you whispering?!"
The man beside him fidgeted over to Yuri.
"The mage is in a mood right now..."
Mid-sentence, he spotted Yuri and gaped.
"Huh? Prince Yuri of Brioll?"
"Yes."
"Whoa, didn't know you'd be lecturing. Honored. Loved the interview."
"Thanks."
The mage squinted at Yuri.
Yuri asked the man,
"Why no glasses?"
"Stubborn guy..."
"You there!"
"Yes."
"Come here."
Realizing Yuri's identity, the mage decided to ignore him. Instead of griping loudly, he sat and harassed the man.
The man just bowed and answered meekly.
Yuri patted Jared's shoulder.
"Appreciate good bosses."
"Yes..."
Yuri chatted with Rolang and Jared about the lecture; the mage grumbled alone in the corner.
Jared whispered,
"Asked a staffer—big name in the capital. From the Imperial Magic Tower branch. His students drop like flies."
"Skilled?"
"Expert level? Lectures are boring, rumor has it. But loves lecturing. Brags nonstop."
Jared snickered.
As they talked, commotion grew outside. Footsteps echoed through the building. Academium students filling seats, one by one.
The dean entered the waiting room. Murmurs leaked as the door opened.
"Two lecturers today. Who'd like to go first...?"
Yuri raised his hand. Wanted to finish early, then spend quality time with Edran.
But the mage raised his too.
"I'll go first."
"I raised mine first."
"That matter?"
"What does then?"
Yuri stood. The mage flinched slightly.
The dean mediated.
"Haha, no need to fight. Coin flip?"
Dean tossed a coin. Mage went first.
The mage flung his robe dramatically and strode out proudly.
Yuri's brow twitched. He stood.
"Your Highness?"
"Curious."
Yuri said,
"Wanna see what this mage says. Coming?"
"Sure."
Yuri left with Rolang and Jared.
All eyes in the hall turned to him instantly.
The mage on the podium's face twisted.