Classes Begin
The academy held its opening ceremony. The lobby was packed with fresh-faced first-years. As for me, I had reached the realm of Sword Saint and was now officially a second-year.
My feelings were a bit complicated. It felt surreal that a whole year had already passed since I transmigrated into this world, marking the starting point of all these chaotic events.
How time flies.
While I was spacing out and watching the new students while waiting for Micaris, a welcome face greeted me.
"Lord Hound!"
It was Ronia. I offered her a bright, welcoming smile.
"Lady Ronya!"
"I missed you so much. You've been well, right?"
"Well, yes. Aside from getting engaged to Mica..."
Ronia froze, turning as stiff as a stone statue.
"E-Engaged?"
"Yes. Had you not heard?"
Her mouth hung open, her entire body paralyzed as she struggled to find her words.
"Lady Ronya?"
At my call, she muttered something rather bizarre.
"...I suppose being second wouldn't be so bad."
"Second?"
"It's nothing. I'll head inside first..."
With listless, drained steps, Ronia shuffled off toward the lecture hall.
To be honest, I had planned to maintain a harem while keeping a reasonable distance from everyone. But I couldn't go against Micaris. What was I supposed to do when she practically forced the engagement on me?
I'm sorry, Ronya!
As I clenched my fists, shedding imaginary tears of regret, Micaris's carriage—which had departed later than mine—finally arrived.
I immediately walked over to the carriage to escort her out.
"Thank you."
"This is the bare minimum, of course."
Micaris turned her head, scanning the surroundings before asking me,
"Was Ronya or Lady Estupina not here?"
"Lady Ronya was here. She went inside ahead of us."
"Really? What a shame."
Micaris wore a sly, mischievous smirk. She had undoubtedly planned to show off her engagement ring. Micaris, you cruel woman!
"What are you doing? Let's head in."
"Ah, yes!"
Apparently, there wouldn't be any actual lessons during the first lecture. Thanks to that, I had the chance to quietly coordinate our plans with Micaris.
"Mica, you're attending the matriculation party tomorrow, right?"
"Yes. As you said, we need to meet Eilyn Rutenia."
Micaris had initially been reluctant about me meeting her, but after hearing about Eilyn's extraordinary talent in holy magic, she seemed reasonably convinced. That was why she was helping me with my plan.
"If I go looking for Lady Rutenia, you'll be left alone. Will you be alright?"
"I have my own social circles to attend to. Besides, you're a noble now. You won't be as free as you were when you were a commoner."
She had a point. For nobles, social gatherings were crucial battlegrounds for meticulous networking. Given my reputation as a future Sword Saint and my recent Medal of Honor, a swarm of aristocrats would likely flock to me.
"True. I didn't just receive a title; I was awarded a Medal of Honor as well. What will people call me? Viscount Yohanes? Sir Yohanes?"
"Well, they will likely address you as Sir Yohanes. That's actually the more prestigious form of address."
So the Medal of Honor carried more weight than a viscountcy... No wonder the surrounding high nobility had thrown such a massive fit.
"I'm starting to feel a bit intimidated. I haven't even properly learned noble etiquette yet."
"The other nobles won't expect much anyway. There are precedents, after all—people who rose to the rank of Grand Duke solely on their own merits."
"Rising all the way to Grand Duke purely on one's own strength?"
"Yes. There is a Grand Duke who single-handedly holds back the Contamination in the north. He cannot leave because he must keep the corruption at bay, though."
This was news to me. But still, starting from the very bottom and proving one's worth to become a Grand Duke? This was fantastic news for me.
"I didn't know such a path existed. Perhaps I should aim for that as well."
"A Grand Duke? Why?"
"Just because. It sounds cool, doesn't it?"
In truth, it was for my harem. A Grand Duke was legally permitted to have multiple wives. Ahem...
"That is a very 'you' answer. So, how do you plan on finding Eilyn Rutenia? I only saw her when we were children, so I might not recognize her either."
"Right... I suppose I'll have to gather information while navigating the social circles."
"Yes, that sounds like the best approach."
After spending some time chatting with Micaris, the classless first lecture came to an end.
"Our next classes are different. Come to my dormitory when you're finished."
"Of course, at your service."
Micaris left to prepare for her next class. I had to get ready for mine too, but... since we weren't going to do anything anyway, couldn't they just let us rest? I couldn't help but feel a bit disgruntled.
Letting out a sigh of annoyance, I stepped into the Theology Lecture Room, only to find that roll call was already underway.
Oh, crap. Did they already pass my name?
Fortunately, it seemed they hadn't reached me yet. Since my name was Hound, starting with 'H'—or rather, 'Hieut' in Korean—I was at the very end of the list.
Just then—
"Eilyn Rutenia?"
"Present."
I spotted Eilyn Rutenia.
Long brown hair tied up in twin-tails with hairpins, sharp eyes, and ruby-red irises that gleamed as if actual gems had been embedded in them.
She's gorgeous.
For a split second, I was utterly captivated. I thought I had built up a decent tolerance to beautiful women by now, but apparently not.
...Anyway, that wasn't the important part right now.
She was sitting too far away for me to strike up a conversation.
Still, I had thoroughly memorized her face. All that was left was to seek her out at the matriculation party.
The plan to meet Eilyn Rutenia was set.
And so, after all the lectures finally ended...
On the night before the matriculation party, I found myself agonizing over a trivial dilemma: what on earth should I wear to make a lasting impression?
Unlike the first party I attended, I had to wear a formal suit instead of an academy uniform. After all, I was a noble now.
Micaris had bought me a total of sixteen suits, claiming they would look good on me. Honestly, isn't that a bit excessive?
Because of the sheer volume, I couldn't even begin to choose; I didn't even know what options I had. Thinking about it now, uniforms really were convenient. It was just like how, during my life as Kim Geun-dae, I would always look back fondly on my high school uniform after becoming an adult.
I eventually picked out a suit that complemented my hair color. A deep navy suit. It went perfectly with my white hair.
I tied a necktie around my collar and tucked a pocket square into my breast pocket. This wasn't exactly an absolute law of romance fantasy novels, but it was a rule of thumb some of them followed.
With that, my outfit was decided. I'd just have to get Micaris's stamp of approval tomorrow.
Dressed in the suit I had chosen the night before, my preparations were complete. I was heading to the matriculation party. To the very place that served as the catalyst for all events, and where I had first announced my presence to the world.
When I stepped out of the dormitory, Micaris was already waiting for me.
"Keeping a lady waiting? You fail as a knight."
"Haha, my apologies. It's my first time wearing a formal suit, so I was a bit lost..."
Micaris swept her gaze over me from head to toe, a pleased smile gracing her lips.
"Hmm, you chose well. It suits you. Good, let's go."
Linking arms with Micaris, I headed toward the venue of the matriculation party.
The moment we arrived at the banquet hall, a knight opened the grand doors as if he had been waiting for us and announced in a booming voice:
"Announcing the entrance of Lady Merian of the Marquisate of Merian, and Lord Yohanes, Viscount of Yohanes!"
Wow, they actually announce my name when I enter now. Is this what it feels like to be a noble...? It was a novel sensation.
As Micaris and I made our entrance, a swarm of nobles immediately crowded around us.
"I heard you two started as a lady and her exclusive knight. What a romantic tale."
"I'm so envious. I absolutely despise political marriages."
"Sir Yohanes, is it true that you possess the talent of a Sword Saint?"
Trivial, tedious questions. But it was best to leave this to Micaris. After all, this was a conversation among noble ladies.
I whispered softly to Micaris.
"Enjoy your socializing. I'll go look for Lady Rutenia."
"Make sure you don't get trapped in a social circle yourself."
Leaving Micaris behind, I wandered through the banquet hall to search for Eilyn Rutenia.
However...
A certain dish had been aggressively stealing my attention for a while now: roast turkey. Was it because it had been so long since I'd laid eyes on pure poultry breast? The temptation was almost irresistible.
Just a little bit. If it's just a small bite...
No, I had better restrain myself. I wasn't just Hound Egil anymore; I was Hound Egil Yohanes.
Tearing my eyes away from the alluring turkey, I thoroughly searched every corner of the hall. Finally, I found her.
A young woman with twin-tails and ruby-red eyes. Eilyn Rutenia.
Dressed in a snow-white gown, she was standing alone in a quiet corner of the hall, sipping her drink. Her face was dark, completely devoid of any vitality. I made my way over to her.
"Are you not lonely here by yourself?"
"Who are you?"
"Pardon my late introduction. I am Viscount Hound Egil Yohanes."
"The famous one?"
"Indeed."
Eilyn Rutenia narrowed her eyes, scanning me with a cold, dismissive gaze.
"Nice suit."
"It was a gift."
Eilyn tilted her head slightly and asked,
"So, why did you come over to me?"
"Is there a rule stating I cannot approach a lady who is standing all alone?"
"You must have an ulterior motive. I don't buy into such sugar-coated words."
Just what kind of life had she lived to be this utterly lacking in social skills...?
"Ahem. Well, to get straight to the point, I came to offer you a proposal to join my party, Lady Rutenia."
Eilyn's brow furrowed.
"A party proposal?"
"Yes. We are currently forming a party in preparation for the Contamination practical exam, and we happen to lack a member specializing in holy magic..."
"How did you even know my specialty is holy magic?"
"You are quite famous, after all. The daughter of Marquis Rutenia, blessed with a brilliant talent for holy magic."
"......"
Eilyn glared at me, her brow creasing deeply. It was a gaze that seemed desperate to pierce right through my thoughts.
Just then—
"Hey, Eilyn!"
A young man suddenly intervened.
"B-Brother..."
"I thought I made it perfectly clear that you weren't to show your face at this party. Why are you here? And didn't I tell you not to call me your brother?"
"I-I'm sorry. I was practically forced to attend..."
"Do you honestly think that's an acceptable excuse?"
The man, who was clearly Eilyn's half-brother, Shadys Rutenia, raised his right hand. I saw a clear red trajectory of intent—a physical threat. Only after realizing I was standing right next to her did he slowly lower his hand.
"Tsk. Whatever. We'll talk about this later."
Shoving his hands into his pockets, the man clicked his tongue and walked away.
"Is there some sort of trouble?"
"It has nothing to do with you. Don't try to get involved with me anymore. It won't do you any good either."
Eilyn stared blankly ahead with lifeless eyes, quietly sipping her drink. Those eyes, that face, that heavy atmosphere...
I couldn't bring myself to just leave her like this, so I pressed on.
"If you ever need help, please let me know."
"...I don't need your help, so I'd appreciate it if you'd just piss off."
Did this girl just tell me to piss off? You're the first woman to ever treat me like this.
...Okay, let's cut out the cheesy shoujo manga rich-boy internal monologues.
Just as I was about to keep the conversation going—
I caught sight of dark bruises near her shoulder blades, along with red welts around her neck that her high-collared dress couldn't entirely conceal.
They were unmistakable signs of physical abuse.
"Lady Rutenia. I will say it once more: if you ever need assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. I will be waiting."
"Didn't you hear me tell you to piss off? There's nothing you can do to help me anyway. Just get out of my sight."
True to her twin-tailed trope, she was incredibly prickly. But I suppose this kind of charm wasn't half bad either.
After giving her a polite, brief bow, I stepped back into the sea of socializing nobles.
"Sir Yohanes! I have heard so much about you."
"If it isn't Sir Yohanes! It is an absolute honor to meet you."
These bastards. Where did all their sneers and contempt go? Now that I had a medal and a title, they were practically begging to crawl into my good graces. It was so nauseating I wanted to throw up.
"Haha, a pleasure to meet you. Actually, I was wondering if you might know anything about the heir of the Marquisate of Rutenia?"
"Ah, are you referring to Young Master Shadys Rutenia?"
"Yes. I've taken quite an interest in him."
"Hmm... I don't know much other than the fact that he has an illegitimate half-sister. Aside from that, his personality is a bit..."
"I see... Thank you for the information."
"Wait, Lord—"
I turned on my heel and walked back to Micaris without looking back. There was absolutely nothing to be gained by lingering in that den of vipers.
"Mica, shall we head back now?"
"Did you achieve what you came for?"
"Yes. I think I've got everything I need."
An illegitimate child, huh? I didn't know that.