Later That Night
the students had already dispersed to the rooms assigned to them.
As each person walked down the corridor holding their room key, Gilbert had already arrived at his destination.
(A–4… the same room I used last night.)
He opened the door quietly. Since he was the first to arrive, the room remained exactly as he had left it.
Suddenly, a sharp, unfamiliar voice came from behind him.
"Are you going to stand there forever? Move out of the way."
Gilbert's eyes widened slightly in surprise—he hadn't heard any footsteps approaching at all.
Instinctively, he turned to face the speaker.
Contrary to the harsh tone, the young man's expression was calm and steady.
He was slightly shorter than Gilbert, around 175 cm tall, with red hair and sharp golden eyes—eyes that seemed restless despite their intensity. He glanced at Gilbert briefly before walking into the room without another word.
Gilbert followed quietly, saying nothing as well.
Neither of them felt the need to exchange greetings. It was clear that this wasn't important to either of them. The invisible barrier established between them was enough to define the kind of relationship they both preferred.
Later, Gilbert would learn that this person was Eclis Christopher, ranked sixth among the top ten.
---
Room A–6
On the same floor, in Room A–6, Raymond Baskerville stood with a slightly tense expression.
His gaze wasn't fixed on the door in front of him, but rather on the kind of person he imagined waiting behind it—and how that person might react upon learning his identity.
Every expectation he had shattered the moment the door opened.
"You're Raymond Baskerville, right? I'll take the bed on the right—do you mind?"
Raymond froze, momentarily stunned, before the other student spoke again.
"Oh, right. I'm Lucas Hertford. I hope we get along."
Despite the welcoming words, Lucas's expression was calm rather than cheerful, his tone restrained—but that alone made Raymond breathe a sigh of relief.
After a brief pause, Raymond replied,
"That's fine. I don't mind where I sleep. I hope we get along as well."
He smiled faintly and walked over to his bed, sitting down without another word, though his mind was racing.
(He doesn't seem repulsed by my presence… This has never happened before.
When people hear my name, they usually show disgust, unease… or fear.
Still… I'm grateful. Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.)
---
The Girls' Dormitory – Room B–2
In the girls' wing of the dormitory, Athena sat on her bed in Room B–2, staring at the ceiling as she replayed the events of the day in her mind.
The door opened.
The face that greeted her was oddly familiar.
"Beatrice Driessen…" Athena murmured unconsciously.
Beatrice smiled brightly.
"Oh—you remember my name. Athena Klein, right? I hope we have a wonderful time together."
Athena smiled faintly.
"So you know who I am already? Good. That saves us time. Now then…"
Her expression turned sly as she added,
"Your fight against my brother was impressive. Your style was unique—almost playful. Were you enjoying teasing him?"
Athena's gaze shifted into a cold calmness, bordering on a warning.
Something clicked in Beatrice's mind. The corner of her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"So that's how you saw it…"
Athena frowned in irritation, but Beatrice's sudden change in attitude caught her off guard.
"Huh?!"
Without warning, Beatrice pulled her into a tight hug, smiling brightly.
"You're adorable—just as I expected. You care about your brother that much?
He's lucky to have such a cute little sister. I've always wanted one myself.
Can I call you my little sister too? What about 'Athy'? Do you like it?"
"What are you talking about?! I'm not cute! Don't treat me like a child—let go of me!"
Athena was both embarrassed and annoyed, but despite her attempts to push Beatrice away, the latter didn't listen at all.
And so, the first night passed in an unusual way—marking the beginning of new relationships that would soon reshape each of their fates.
With the first rays of dawn…
The real game began.
---
The First Morning
Morning bells rang, announcing a new day in the students' lives.
After receiving envelopes containing their personal information and class schedules early in the morning, small groups of new students moved through the halls—some hesitant, others excited—their voices blending caution with curiosity.
In the long corridors, many stopped to study the paper maps posted on the walls, searching for their first classrooms.
Gilbert, however, walked as though along a familiar path, calmly observing the building's details.
"Lecture Hall Four—History Class (Instructor: Kailos Levant),"
Athena muttered as she checked her paper, then looked at Gilbert walking beside her.
"History first thing in the morning… that sounds exhausting."
Gilbert shot her a knowing glance and smiled faintly.
"You've always hated history."
Athena sighed dramatically.
"Honestly, who enjoys learning about things that happened ages ago? It's just annoying."
---
History Class
Moments later, they entered a spacious hall with wide windows and stained glass.
Before the black wooden board stood a tall man with red hair and golden eyes—his appearance balanced between nobility and danger.
In a low but clear voice, he spoke:
"My name is Kailos Levant. I will be teaching you history.
Most of you believe you understand the founding of this empire and the trials our ancestors endured to achieve its prosperity…"
His eyes sharpened.
"But you are living inside a lie."
Despite his calm tone, his words cut through the air like blades.
"Before we begin, a simple question: who can name the key powers that form the backbone of this empire?"
Some hands rose. Others hesitated.
He pointed to a student in the second row.
"Archduchy of Regin… Duchy of Hertford… and Astria?"
Kailos nodded.
"Correct."
Turning to the board, he wrote:
Archduchy of Regin:
The empire's military might—home to elite knights and swordmasters. As you know, the Archduke himself founded this academy.
Duchy of Hertford:
The political core. Its influence over imperial governance is deeper—and more complex—than it appears.
Duchy of Astria:
The jewel of economy and tourism. Trade flows through it, and foreign relations are woven there. A dazzling façade hiding a tug-of-war between the other powers.
He turned back to the class, eyes sharp.
"Empires are built on swords, decrees, and blood.
But what destroys them isn't external enemies—
it's betrayal… and ignorance of their own history."
For a brief moment, his gaze settled on one student.
Blue eyes.
Gilbert.
At first, his expression was neutral—then, unnoticed by anyone else, something warm flickered in his eyes.
Gilbert felt it.
A strange, familiar sensation—impossible to explain.
(Was that just my imagination… or did he smile at me?
Lately, I seem to be running into far too many strange people.)
Kailos concluded,
"Those who do not know history should fear its repetition—not because the past is terrifying, but because wisdom lies in learning from it."
Time flowed slowly, like cold droplets.
When the bell rang, chairs scraped softly as students stood, as if waking from a shared trance.
Gilbert lingered for a moment longer.
That look from the instructor refused to leave his mind.
---
Combat Training
The next destination was clear:
Combat training.
The training ground was vast, its polished stone floor far wider than the entrance exam arena. Along one side rested a diverse collection of weapons.
A large, broad-shouldered man stood waiting—stern-faced, with a booming voice. He was the same instructor from the entrance exam.
"Name's Draven Campbell. You passed the entrance tests—but that doesn't mean you can fight on a real battlefield. Here, we deal with reality."
He stepped forward and pointed at a student.
"One round against me each. Winning isn't required—I just want to see what you're capable of."
The trials began.
Some students performed decently. Others faltered.
As stated, victory wasn't the goal—exposure was.
Then a name was called:
Raymond Baskerville.
Raymond stepped into the ring calmly, his expression sharper than before.
When the instructor attacked, Raymond moved with astonishing agility.
He evaded the first strike—and countered cleanly.
Draven smiled for the first time.
"Hm… you've got a warrior's eyes. A bright future, kid."
The bout ended after a cautious exchange. Raymond hadn't revealed his full strength—but he had proven he wasn't ordinary.
Next came Lucas Hertford.
He wielded the wooden sword as though it were an extension of his body—precise, calculated, emotionless.
At one point, his blade nearly grazed the instructor's neck.
Draven laughed shortly.
"Smarter than I expected…"
Gilbert watched closely.
(Baskerville… Lucas… neither of them is ordinary.)
---
Evening Reflections
By sunset, the students returned to the dormitories—exhausted, thoughtful, or both.
One thing was certain:
Life at the academy would be far harsher than any of them had imagined.
The hallway was quiet, dim lights casting long shadows.
Lucas and Gilbert walked side by side, their footsteps synchronized, as if escaping the noise behind them rather than heading anywhere.
Ahead of them, Raymond walked alone.
Lucas spoke quietly.
"That boy… Baskerville. Did you see how he moved today? Fast. Calm. Efficient."
Gilbert nodded.
"If he's that strong…" he murmured,
"Why does he seem so alone?"
Lucas fell silent.
Then, in a low voice, as if confessing a truth he knew too well, he said:
"Because life isn't fair."
Gilbert said nothing more.
But a new curiosity took root within him—
toward the solitary boy walking confidently in his own world.