Journey's End at Kallandra Academy
It had been three days since we set out for the academy, just Hans and I traveling alone. At last, we arrived in the imperial capital, Kallandra.
Even though the aura of Chaos would bring no small amount of pain, Hans had successfully brought me all the way to Kallandra.
Upon arrival, she didn't even secure an inn or rest—instead, she headed straight for Kallandra Academy.
"Hans, you should rest now. Your body's not fully recovered. For now, let's find somewhere nearby…."
Hans shook her head left and right, eyes fixed ahead, as she replied.
"Young master, I'm fine."
"Still—"
"Young master, the delays from that incident midway have already set us back a lot. If we arrive late to the academy entrance ceremony, you might miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So, we should hurry to the academy first."
"Hans…."
"And besides, the facilities around the academy are probably better for my treatment anyway, hehe. Ah, young master, hold my waist tight. Sudden stops happen in the city streets—it could be dangerous."
And so we rode through the heart of the city for quite some time.
"Young master, take my hand and dismount carefully."
"Thanks, Hans."
"Your hand…."
We had finally arrived.
The empire's premier academy, the Imperial Academy. Kallandra Academy—the elite institution that nobles of noble blood in the Kallandra Empire must graduate from to fulfill their duties.
Kallandra Academy.
The main stage of the game's storyline and key play area in Deus ex Machina.
…It was the place I'd longed to visit most during the over ten years since coming to this world.
Siren sis and Meiru sis had already been attending, but even as family, we weren't allowed inside.
The security was so tight that even nobles could only enter during enrollment—unless there was a special reason.
So, even after possessing Luke Perseino's body for so long, this was my first time actually seeing the academy.
This place… the academy.
The very one I'd dreamed of coming to….
"Hey, you there!"
As I sank into sentiment, a voice called out.
Looking toward the sound, I saw a man with a striking chin beard.
"Yeah, you, hick!"
Hi—hick? Was he calling me?
The bearded man approached me slowly.
Only then did I recognize him as he drew near.
Deus ex Machina's extra comic relief character, Andre Tabares.
A man my age, just turning adult and entering as a freshman, yet sporting a full chin beard.
Whoa. Seeing Andre in real life.
It felt incredibly nostalgic to encounter in the flesh a character I'd met so often in the game.
Andre, now close, spoke up.
"You look like a first-time entrant to the academy. Freshmen have to enter alone from here. So that knight can't come with you."
Ah, right. There was that rule.
Students at the academy weren't allowed escorts or guard knights.
With nobles from across the empire gathered, security was ironclad.
Even at the entrance, no companions allowed. Games didn't implement details like this—it felt fresh.
I turned back to Hans.
"Hans, thank you so much for bringing me here."
"No, young master. It was my duty."
"Even after getting injured like that, you brought me all this way. I couldn't have made it alone. Thank you, really. Shame we can't go together from here."
"Understood, young master. Then I'll take my leave."
"Yeah, Hans. Go find a priest quickly. See you later!"
Despite her lingering wounds, she gave me one last smile before departing.
Hans….
As I started to get sentimental again, someone slung an arm over my shoulder.
It was Andre again.
"Anyway, hick. What's your name?"
"Name? I'm Luke. You?"
"Andre Tabares! Ever heard of Tabares territory? From the massive granary in the empire's west!"
I knew it well. Tabares County—one of Kallandra Empire's key granaries, the largest grain producer.
Despite being a county, it rivaled a duchy in influence.
"Nice to meet you, Andre."
"Same here, Luke. Let's get along great."
I shook his outstretched hand.
"But Andre, why call me a hick?"
He's from a provincial noble house too, not Kallandra-born.
"Huh? 'Cause of how you acted."
"How I acted?"
What was he talking about?
"You stared at the academy like it was a wonder for a good twenty minutes. First time in Kallandra, right?"
Twenty minutes?
Did I zone out that long?
"No, I've been here multiple times as a kid."
"Pfft, liar. No one who's been to the capital acts like that. And that's not all—you're a freshman riding in on a horse, not a carriage, clinging behind a knight like some scrub. You're from a rural baron's house, right?"
"…What?"
"Having a knight means not commoner stock… or maybe fallen noble?"
"Pfft… hahaha, haha!"
"Wh-what? Why're you laughing? That funny?"
Yeah, Andre was exactly like this.
Talented in his own way, great social vibe, but quirky as hell.
Calling me a hick, though. That was new.
Wait, technically, he wasn't wrong.
From Perseino at the empire's northern edge.
"Hahaha… yeah. Thinking about it, I am a hick."
"Really? Where you from?"
"Up north, Perseino territory."
"Ooh, Perseino. The shield guarding the empire's north? Cool place!"
This was why I liked the guy.
Seemed like a pushover, the strong bully the weak type, but genuinely kind and eager to befriend everyone.
Slips like the hick comment could piss people off, but that's his charm.
If he'd called Siren sis or Meiru sis that, he'd be half-dead.
Would've been hilarious, though.
"Anyway, so baron's son or fallen… gahhh!"
Mid-chatter, Andre clutched his ankle and crumpled.
A woman stood behind him.
"Guh. What the hell, Sunny!"
Sunny. Sunny Kuzen.
"Luke, long time."
"Yeah, Sunny. Long time."
A friend from the few noble gatherings I'd attended since arriving in this world.
Thanks to Father's connections, mostly.
"Hey, Sunny! Why kick my ankle?"
"…Showed ankle. My fault."
She had this weird ankle obsession.
Blame her Gift ability for that personality.
Hence her nickname among Deus ex Machina players: Ankle Slayer.
"…Sigh, whatever. Was getting to know my new friend Luke here. You two know each other?"
"…Social gathering. Met."
"Oh yeah… Anyway, I'm curious about Luke's background. So, Luke—baron's son or fallen noble?"
"…? What're you talking about?"
Sunny tilted her head at Andre's words.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Luke. Perseino."
"Yeah, I heard. So from Perseino, what title—"
"No. Luke. Perseino. Family. Origin."
"…Huh? W-wait. You mean Luke's not just from Perseino territory… but the son of Duke Perseino?"
Nod.
Sunny nodded and added,
"Andre. Idiot."
"Th-then I called Perseino's heir a… hi—hick…! Siren, Meiru… those monster sisters from Perseino…!"
Seeing game characters come alive was totally different.
Just watching them move was fun.
Only two so far, but I was already pumped.
The academy.
Deus ex Machina
"Gwahhh… I'm done for."