Chapter 18

The Remnant Academy was originally a military education institution established in the capital by Emperor Carolus after founding the Empire, with the purpose of systematically training knights.

It gathered outstanding talents from across the Empire and, through professional education and intensive training, eventually elevated them to the realm of masters.

And by utilizing the power of these master-level knights, the Empire’s reign was maintained eternally.

That was Emperor Carolus’s initial vision.

Thus, in its early days, the Remnant Academy was merely an institution for nurturing knights.

However, as time passed and various faculties were added, the academy expanded further, gradually transforming into a massive comprehensive educational institution symbolizing the Empire’s prosperity.

800 years since its establishment.

The current Remnant Academy, though still supported by the Imperial Army, was practically a civilian institution specializing in combat-related subjects.

That said, since most graduates followed their seniors and enlisted in the Imperial Army, it was still recognized as a core military institution of the Empire.

……In the game, it was just a training system to level up low-level characters to a usable level.

—-

“I think it’s about time to fill out the admission application. Will you be choosing the Knight Faculty as your major?”

While I was practicing swordsmanship in the garden of the marquis’s mansion, Nigel came over holding a document.

“Admission application?”

“Yes. Regular students will take the entrance exam over the next four days, but special admission students are exempt. You just need to fill out this application and submit it, and you’ll be admitted immediately.”

Nigel explained in a calm tone. His overly stiff speech had become more natural.

Seems like last night’s plea to drop the awkward speech paid off.

It was still a bit stiff, but it was an improvement.

That awkward habit of ending every sentence with “I shall” or “I will.”

Nigel probably thought it sounded soldierly or knightly, but honestly, it was awkward and reminded me of my military days, which made me uncomfortable.

After hearing my complaint last night, Nigel bowed his head, thought for a while, and finally muttered, “…I will correct it.”

He seemed oddly deflated, as if he had some attachment or belief in his speech style.

Or maybe he thought it made him look cool and knightly.

I put down my sword, took the document, and headed to the garden table.

An admission application, huh? Didn’t know this was a thing.

I read through the details.

The front side of the double-sided document had blanks for the faculty and basic personal information, while the back listed the rules special admission students had to follow.

I read the rules first.

Nothing special.

Clothing-wise, wearing traditional attire of one’s race was allowed, but outfits violating ethical standards could be restricted.

Mostly, it was about the benefits and usage of the special admission dormitory, curfew, bedtime, and other basic dorm rules.

The only thing that caught my eye was the part where, if two special admission students requested it, a duel could be permitted under a professor’s supervision.

The outcome of the duel was solely the responsibility of the participants, and the Empire would not allow any external interference for damages caused by the duel.

In short, they could kill each other, but the Empire wouldn’t let it escalate into a diplomatic issue.

…Doesn’t seem like a rule that’ll be strictly enforced.

Then again, who knows?

Thinking about it, I volunteered to be a hostage, but usually, being sent as a hostage means you’re not highly regarded in your own country.

Unless it’s a death that could demand compensation from the Empire, they might not care if I end up dead.

After checking the rules, I flipped the document and read the faculty descriptions.

Knight Faculty, Magic Faculty, Combat Theology Faculty, Tactics Faculty.

Four faculties were listed with brief descriptions.

The Knight Faculty was the foundational faculty, training close-combat roles comprehensively, while the Magic Faculty was subdivided by school.

Though it also primarily taught combat-focused magic.

The Combat Theology Faculty was established at the request of the 11 Main Gods’ Church, and only those affiliated with the church could apply.

Guess they just wanna stick to their own.

The Tactics Faculty wasn’t for training combat roles but for educating commanders in unit tactics.

Like the liberal arts campus of an engineering university.

I picked up a pen, checked the Knight Faculty, and filled in my personal details.

The personal information section was simple: name, race, age, gender, and country.

– Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or. Ka`har. 18. …Female. Aishan.

I hesitated a bit about writing Ka`har as the country, but officially, it’s Aishan.

My race is technically human, but the Empire wouldn’t acknowledge that.

Being treated as a quasi-human is better than nothing.

“Here. This should do, right?”

I handed the completed document back to Nigel.

Nigel neatly folded the document and placed it in a white envelope.

“Yes. I’ll send this to the academy, and you’ll move into the dormitory by the day before the entrance ceremony.”

“Guess I’ll be saying goodbye to this mansion in four days. Did you pack everything?”

“Aside from your gear, most daily necessities will be provided by the academy, so just prepare some spare clothes.”

I didn’t have much to bring anyway.

The marquis’s support mostly covered the supplies needed for the journey to the capital, and all that’s left is tuition and a month’s living expenses.

They’ll cover the tuition, but I’ll have to earn my living expenses if needed.

Being a student at the Remnant Academy is practically like being a semi-knight.

At least recognized as a C-rank adventurer, so if I need money, I can always visit the adventurer’s guild.

I took out a cigarette from the leather pouch at my waist and lit it.

Come to think of it, I’m almost out. The marquis gave me about three packs, but I’ve been smoking them whenever I feel like it.

Before I knew it, half the time was already gone.

Yeah, I should definitely check out the adventurer’s guild later.

Their requests are usually stuff like monster hunting or dungeon exploration, so it’d be good for experience.

…Not like I’m doing it just for cigarette money or anything.

Since I’ve decided to live in this world, I need to get as strong as possible.

Sure, the Empire is peaceful now, but that won’t last forever.

—

Getting into the academy was just the starting point of my grand life plan.

Now that I’ve passed the starting line, it’s time to move on to the next step.

I should go see the face of the amazing protagonist who’s gonna save this world.

If they seem useful, I’ll try to get close, avoid bad endings, and just help out from the sidelines.

The protagonist will handle saving the world, and I’ll just tag along.

Maybe my image will improve a bit too.

—

Original Ha-shal-leur… should I just call her Hersela?

Yeah, let’s go with that.

Anyway, I don’t know exactly how terrible Hersela’s crimes were, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like she bathed in blood or something.

At that level, apologizing won’t do any good.

If I admit guilt and act humble, they’ll just pounce on me.

And once that happens, there’s no going back.

So, I’ll just brazenly claim that what Hersela did was justified as a Ka`har warrior since the Daein were enemies at the time.

Sure, it’ll draw criticism, but apologizing wouldn’t make things better anyway.

It’s better to cover it up by making achievements here.

It’s shameless and cowardly, but it’s the best option.

What else can I do?

—

“So, today’s the entrance exam for regular students, right? Since I’m submitting my application, maybe I’ll go check it out.”

There might be some commotion, but it’s necessary.

I’ll have to deal with commotion anyway after enrolling, so for now, I need to confirm if the main characters are showing up.

“…I can’t recommend it, but if you insist, you may go. The imperial family has already recognized the Ka`har as a semi-human race, and with the Randenburg name still strong, no one will openly target you, Lady Ha-shal-leur, under the Marquis’s protection.”

“It’s something I’ll have to face eventually anyway. Let’s go.”

“Understood. I’ll prepare the carriage.”

Let’s see what the protagonist’s skills are like. Assuming they’re taking the exam today, that is.

Even if the protagonist isn’t here, other key characters might be.

—

About thirty minutes later, the carriage finally arrived at the academy’s main gate.

The area in front of the gate was bustling with applicants taking the entrance exam.

A chaotic mix of colorful hair was everywhere, making it hard to focus.

Yellow, gold, brown, red, blue, green, white…

…Even pink.

There had to be at least a thousand people.

With this crowd, it’d be hard to recognize anyone until I got close or heard their name.

I turned my head to look at the academy building.

A red brick fence surrounded the entire grounds, and beyond the iron bars of the main gate, over ten different buildings stood tall.

Two knights were stationed at the guardhouses on either side, checking visitors and letting them through.

Above the iron bars, an archway bore the elegant imperial inscription: “The Cradle That Protects the Nation.”

…The design feels oddly familiar.

—

Soon, it was our turn. Nigel, sitting in the driver’s seat, handed the guard knights the special admission documents, and they opened the gate.

After Nigel parked the carriage in the academy’s parking area, he knocked on the door.

“Lady Ha-shal-leur, you’ll have to walk from here. Is that alright?”

“Yeah… just a second.”

Now that I was actually here, an unexpected tension washed over me.

I pulled out one of the few remaining cigarettes and lit it.

My hands trembled slightly as I held the match, maybe from the anxiety tightening my chest.

It’s fine. They’ll curse at me, but what can they do to me?

Most of them are probably weaker than me anyway.

I’ll just brush it off.

I took a deep drag and exhaled the smoke like a sigh.

The smoke filled the carriage, and I felt a bit calmer.

I adjusted the longsword at my waist and added the dagger Nigel had gotten for me.

Next, I straightened my armor.

The fur-lined skirt with metal scales, the cape, the gloves, and the iron plates on the boots.

I didn’t wear the breastplate—it felt stuffy and cumbersome.

Come to think of it, the original character didn’t wear it much either.

Finally, I attached the metal case containing the Ice Blade to the back of my waist.

The butler at the mansion had given it to me after seeing me clumsily tying the Ice Blade with cloth.

Alright. No breastplate, but I’m pretty much fully armed.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I took another deep breath and swung the carriage door open.

Dozens of eyes turned toward me.