Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony -2-
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Truth be told, there wasn't really anything particular I had to do.
Still, moving around alone came with its restrictions, and the bigger issue was that Liliane drew more attention than I'd expected.
'At least the guards are doing their basic job.'
Knight and mage guards with stern expressions were stationed here and there, while patrol soldiers moved about constantly.
They'd clearly put a lot of effort into security after turning the internal event into a public one.
Of course, it was rare to have this many self-proclaimed blue-bloods gathered outside of banquets or national ceremonies.
If anyone were planning to cause trouble, now would be the perfect time.
The entrance ceremony seemed to be well underway, as the music that had been audible even outside had now faded away.
I leisurely entered the crowded auditorium and headed to the highest floor.
"...And so!! Our expectations for this year's cadets are truly high! In accordance with His Majesty's imperial decree to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies, we've devised groundbreaking classes..."
Listening to it, I couldn't tell if this was an entrance ceremony or a rally speech.
Doran was pounding the podium with his left hand, delivering what was practically a shout.
Where had his setting as a cool, reticent man gone? To my eyes, it looked like he was venting long-pent-up frustration.
I ignored Doran, whose forehead veins were bulging, and quickly scanned the freshmen.
Unlike my previous life, their hair colors and eye shades varied wildly, bursting with individuality.
'There he is.'
Robert Bolt.
The eldest son of the Bolt Marquisate, a handsome man with striking yellow hair. A playable character for gamers.
In the game, his choices were mostly selfish and inconsiderate, to the point where you had to suspect the developers' own personalities.
I'd always hoped for other playables to appear, but it never happened.
As the intel guild's info suggested, he'd chosen the Knight Department, and the people around him looked familiar too.
Stunning beauties who could grace any stage clustered around the protagonist like stones, staking their heroine claims, but my interest lay elsewhere.
Fresh illustrations popped into my head.
Follow the protagonist's wistful gaze and—
There was the unrealized first love of the Korean soul who'd possessed this body.
'Rike Skadi...'
Their parents had verbally betrothed Robert and Rike when they were young.
But right after that snot-nosed engagement, her family turned upside down, so this was probably the first time the protagonist had seen her in ages.
Maintaining their nominal engagement to this day was down to the protagonist's stubbornness.
'She is pretty.'
Her condition was obviously poor at a glance, but that hadn't robbed her of her heroine beauty.
Black bobbed hair and amethyst-purple eyes.
But her face held no spark of life, her eyes dull and lightless.
What drew the gaze most was the long scar on her face.
An unbelievable cross-shaped gash for a noble lady marred her features.
Despite her stunning looks, her story-laden aura and adventurer-slaying scar kept cadets from approaching or talking to her.
Those who'd seen her even once knew better than to get close.
Hearing her name attached might've sent them fleeing in shock instead.
'Standing there means Swordsmanship Department after all.'
Everything coexisted within the scope I knew. It felt like a blockage in my chest burst open, dispelling ominous assumptions.
"Seria~~! Over here! Here!"
Liliane's voice pierced through the multitude, reaching my ears.
Sitting on the opposite side from me, she waved frantically to catch someone's eye.
'...So that's the infamous youngest sister who's the talk of the town.'
If Liliane's hair was pale pink, the youngest's was a deep red.
Unlike Liliane's drooping eye corners that gave a soft impression, the girl called Seria had sharp, upturned eyes.
Her eyes were a deep green compared to her sister's light green, pairing with the red hair to look like a ripe apple.
And the biggest surprise: she was in the Swordsmanship Department.
The info visible at a glance was the total opposite of mage-like Liliane.
She kept glancing toward Liliane without issue between them.
Even exchanging small hand signals—it was heartwarming to watch.
'No memory of her in the game...'
She might be one of the cadets swept up and killed in the protagonist's unintended mishap.
As long as I was here, I had to prevent any absurd deaths.
"...Through my tireless efforts, we've achieved satisfactory results. With your explicit consent, I seek to demonstrate Lofty Academy's minimal loyalty to His Imperial Majesty!"
'Sly old fox.'
Doran seemed emotional but strategically invoked the imperial shield mid-speech: 'You know what happens if you don't agree, right?'
Veteran savvy doesn't fade.
My class was mandatory for the Knight Department that sparked the incident, optional for Swordsmanship.
In 100 loops, no Knight Department cadets skipped my class, and refusing the consent form meant expulsion.
Doubt anyone would flee without trying, but it was a dead end for them.
"Knight Department cadets, please submit your consent forms by the start of our first class next week. That is all..."
With that, the dean stepped down, and a staff member took the podium to handle the rest.
I left the auditorium before the crowds made exiting a hassle.
'Too annoying to come back out, so maybe stock up till dinner.'
The food sold here was decent quality for the price.
Grabbing a variety, I hurried home.
Resolved to master the Breathing Technique until classes started next week, I'd fast from after dinner till the day before.
Mana users boasted superhuman physiques and higher calorie needs, but paradoxically endured longer without food or water than normals.
Hunger hit just the same, but nothing sharpened a lax mind like this.
A ritual I did before big days—effective or not, it was my personal jinx to steel myself.
"Hoo—"
After dinner and a thorough shower, I sat cross-legged in the living room in light clothes.
The Breathing Technique alone drained immense mental and physical energy.
A day in, hunger surged, wrecking focus.
Circulate and stimulate pure mana via special breaths.
Irritation spiked—why bother transcending hunger?—but enduring this was key.
Once past natural metabolism, mental noise vanished, leaving razor clarity.
Keen nerves recalled overlooked facts; the past sharpened vividly.
Today's ceremony evoked memories of playing Akarite.
I could tell from the protagonist's eyes alone.
He'd blow everything up, heedless of bystanders, if it served his goal.
Confident he could handle the fallout.
Fine in the game's story, but as 'me'—not a playable—I had people in this capital I refused to lose.
Any chance of acquaintances getting dragged in? I'd cut them off.
'If you want to live, prove you're not that kind of guy.'
From the ceremony vibe, Robert would naturally take the route to save Rike.
Optional in-game, but my gut said so.
I had no plans to let Rike slip away either.
The moment I saw the real her, my heart stirred deeply.
Not about succeeding the protagonist, but I couldn't stand seeing her tied to him.
Even pre-possession gamer days, she was my top heroine pick.
I owned all achievements, DLC, soundtrack, limited outfits, weapons.
Money doesn't prove love, but post-first blind run, I never skipped her.
My theory: Akarite heroines' appeal wasn't just looks.
The 'lack' rebounding from perfect looks and talent completed them.
Socially struggling folks, family-troubled ones, stressed gamers in unwanted jobs.
Everyone has baggage; the heroines mirrored that, drawing gamers to empathetic picks.
I always chose Rike first, no hesitation.
I wracked my stiffened brain.
'Somehow, get her into my class...'
Should've prepped earlier, but seeing her hit home how much solace her past self gave my previous life.
No time for leisurely plans.
In-game, neglect her first semester and she doesn't quit—she just vanishes.
No explicit choice shown, but late-game hints at a bad path.
'If push comes to shove, kidnap the culprit, keep 'em barely alive, and hand her that?'
Chaotic, sure, but might stop her tragic choice.
"Kuhhh—"
Long Breathing Technique session done, mirror showed sunken eyes.
Hand into subspace haze, pulled a potion, chugged the red liquid.
Vitality surged, color returning to my face.
Loosen knotted muscles with more technique, and tomorrow would dawn soon.
Finally, the academy's first day arrived.