"If I had known that love would unite us, I would have remained with you in a hollow mirage..." Wow, that's actually quite poetic.
Sam, worn out from sitting in the servants' area outside the massive lecture hall, was mindlessly browsing the internet. Out of sheer boredom, he dragged his weary body across the bench until he eventually slid off, collapsing onto the floor and staring at the ceiling in a daze.
All the other escorts present were either powerful, tall, and handsome knights or beautiful maids with impeccably toned bodies. They were either sitting primly in their designated spots, chatting amongst themselves, or had even brought in large screens to play video games.
Meanwhile, Sam clutched his phone, scrolling through his timeline, leaving comments on weird dance trends and laughing at cat videos. He was constantly amazed by this world; it felt like his previous one, but with a clumsy blend of medieval aesthetics and modern technology.
It was a stupidly chaotic mix—as if the creator had just thrown everything in without a clear vision. An Exceptional Experience at the Hero Academy was supposed to be a novel leaning toward the medieval side with a touch of modernity, but public life here felt just like 2025. Despite all the indicators that this was a fantasy world, it felt as ordinary as Earth—as if Earth itself were trying to claim it was a fair place.
The room they were currently in was a tiny, abandoned classroom that now served as the escorts' lounge. In this world, because of mana, there were countless specializations, and this room had once been dedicated to one of them. The blackboard still bore the title of the lecture:
"The Art of Mana Seduction"
People here genuinely believed that mana reacted like humans; that if you seduced it with nudity, curves, and revealing clothing, it would be attracted to you faster. Their "proof" was the humanoid demonic beasts, which absorbed mana faster than humans simply because they were naked.
Despite how hilarious it seemed, this subject had once received official accreditation from the Union; it was a recognized field of study until a certain professor debunked all that nonsense, leading to its removal from the curriculum. Yet, as ridiculous as it appeared at first glance, there were actually research papers and studies that supported its validity.
In truth, Sam might have supported the idea if it were restricted to women. He wouldn't mind watching a battle between two female mages, each stripping faster than the other just to gain a power boost.
But then, he imagined the same scenario with men. The mere thought made him feel that vomiting wouldn't even be enough to express his disgust.
Thus, yes—the decision to abolish that subject was entirely logical.
It might seem as though Sam was some sort of pervert, but in reality, he was simply a young man who had lived half his life without ever getting to know a woman. He was a normal youth for the most part, with very modest ambitions. He never even had the luxury of buying provocative magazines... and so, he ended up this way. It was, quite frankly, pathetic.
While Sam was lost in his solitary thoughts, a fifteen-year-old girl suddenly entered the room. Though young, she was dressed in a very formal attire—a skirt and a crisp official shirt. She had silky black hair, rounded eyes, a straight nose, and delicate eyebrows. Her lips were the color of red roses, and she wore glasses while clutching a stack of books in her arms.
The girl placed her books on the desk in front of the blackboard. She shoved the desk forward, positioning herself like a formal teacher before everyone's eyes. She straightened her posture and took a deep breath under the bewildered stares of those present.
"I won't be long-winded," she began firmly. "I am Alissa Ludvic... daughter of Marina Ludvic, the renowned heroine and fifth-year instructor at this Academy. I can become even better than my mother here, and I will prove that today without fear. Whoever wishes to listen, please stay. Whoever does not, I ask that you simply ignore me."
Despite being just a young girl, Alissa represented a profound desire: the courage to ignore criticism and the will to start without waiting for the "perfect" beginning.
She was determined to show everyone that she could surpass her mother's shadow. Even if she had to lecture a group of servants and escorts who were physically far stronger than her, she would do it. She was going to start right here, right now, regardless of the circumstances.
Sam had read about this in countless books—the idea of not waiting for the perfect moment and starting despite everything. Yet, he had never seen anyone actually put it into practice. This girl, however, despite all the pressures, refused to give up, eventually rising to become one of the main heroines in the novel.
Though it might seem like a total cliché, people like her are the ones who truly deserve success and a luxurious life in the future.
Alissa began to break into a cold sweat, waiting for a reaction from someone, but the room remained silent—save for a few muffled laughs. But Alissa didn't care.
"Today is our first lecture on..."
The blackboard still bore the words: The Art of Mana Seduction. This is where the greats begin. When they pick up the brush as she did... when they wipe away the filth as she did... and when they rewrite history as she did.
Alissa uncapped her pen and wrote in a simple yet elegant hand:
"Etiquette"
Sam's interest was instantly piqued the moment he saw the title. He genuinely needed to develop his etiquette; it was one of the core skills a servant was supposed to master, yet his status window showed it hadn't even reached Level 1.
He was "sold" on this lecture. He decided to stand up, move to a closer seat, and settle in to listen to this lesson from a girl of noble lineage. This is good, he thought. I can learn anything that expands my knowledge.
When Alissa noticed Sam, a small smile played on her lips. But Sam wasn't the only one; a man and a woman followed his lead, sitting on the same bench to watch Alissa begin her lesson.
Alissa started her explanation. She was well aware that most of these escorts were knights possessing power far greater than her own. To be a noble in her own right, she had to master etiquette. Even if it seemed useless to some, it was the only thing she could teach here—and it was how she would maintain her pride without feeling subservient.
"To begin," Alissa said firmly, "I want to say that this universe operates on a fixed system of rules and concepts. Etiquette is the manifestation of order and discipline in action. It is the standard law of civilized conduct that governs behavior and prepares you to understand the true meaning of 'Order'."
"From the simplest things—the movement of your mouth and gestures, to the way you speak and look. Everything has a system. Everything has its own specific rules."
Alissa had already plunged into her explanation. Although the lecture was becoming increasingly theoretical, her enthusiasm never wavered, and she didn't miss a single crucial point. She explained every detail with meticulous precision. Even though many of the attendees didn't give her their full attention at first, her sheer boldness eventually drew them in. They had initially dismissed her as just another noble girl trying to show off, but they hadn't expected her to stand her ground so resolutely.
Halfway through the lesson, Sam felt he had grasped the fundamentals, yet a specific question began to nag at him. This was likely the final barrier preventing him from mastering Level 1. Although it seemed strange to reach Level 1 without hands-on training, it was, after all, a basic level. He would certainly practice it later.
He had to ask.
"Excuse me..." Sam raised his hand, cutting through the flow of Alissa's words.
"Yes, go ahead," Alissa replied, surprised and secretly a bit delighted that someone was actually engaging.
"You mentioned that etiquette is a reflection of the universe's order in our actions," Sam began. "But the universe is as chaotic as it is organized, and we humans are far from perfect. So, I want to know: Is etiquette a 'way of life' we must embody, or is it simply the 'best option' available for every action?"
He waited for her response. He had identified a logical crossroads: Should we mirror the universe in its duality, or should we consciously choose the most refined path in every moment?
But that was all utter bullshit to begin with.
"Does it matter that much to you?" Alissa replied. "In reality, it depends on your goals in life. Etiquette is something used to distinguish people, making them appear superior to others. However, the standards of things were ultimately set by humans. Therefore, your own actions are what's best for you; your carefully mastered actions—that is etiquette."