Chapter 332

The Entrance Ceremony at the United Academy is quite similar to your bog-standard shindig.

Countless new students are seated on chairs arranged in the center of the auditorium, while various officials are huddled around them.

Even if you’re not an official, you can still catch a glimpse of the ceremony. The auditorium is spacious enough to accommodate a crowd.

[Oath. All incoming students of United Academy shall adhere to the school regulations during their time here…]

This year’s top freshman recited the oath with a voice as crisp as a clear bell, resonating throughout the auditorium.

Her lively and spirited tone was quite pleasant to hear. I’ve seen the person behind that voice before.

‘Well, of course, she’s the top student.’

The Frost Princess, Reina. She made her entrance as this semester’s top freshman.

Given her formidable skills, excelling as the top student must have been a walk in the park.

The only problem is her communication skills; her studying skills are notoriously poor, so she probably can’t manage the common tongue yet.

“The princess of Frozen… I had only heard whispers, but I didn’t expect her to enter as the top student.”

“…..”

“And just as the rumors said, I’m seeing quite a few from the Eastern Empire. Interesting.”

All fine and dandy, but I’d rather you not be here. I sighed internally as I overheard the murmurs from beside me.

Sitting next to me was none other than Karas. The Crown Prince of the Matra Empire and the next in line for the throne.

Why this guy was sitting next to me? Honestly, I couldn’t tell. He just came to spectate and naturally ended up sitting by me.

Now I was getting served a whole buffet of stares from everyone else. My insides were starting to churn.

But there’s something more important than that. Perhaps more important than Reina herself.

“Karas.”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“Your siblings. Why are they over there?”

I pointed at the new students. Specifically, at the gray-haired duo taking the front row.

Those troublemaker twins from the Matra Empire, famous for being the worst within the kingdom, were just plopped down there.

They’re so wrapped up in their own desires that it’s hard to tell if they’re even human. And somehow, they wedged themselves among the new students.

Especially the younger brother; Leo, who tried to force himself on Eli, ended up getting smacked with a liquor bottle for his troubles.

I can’t fathom how such delinquents managed to enroll in the Academy.

“Oh, that? There’s no particular reason. I just called them out of boredom.”

“Boredom?”

You dragged those delinquents to the Academy just because you were bored? I was at a loss for words.

Those twins are practically a walking disaster. Who knows what kind of trouble they might stir up?

At least with Karas around, they might behave, but you know how the saying goes: a dog doesn’t change its spots.

They’ll definitely cause some major chaos sooner or later. They’re like bombs waiting to go off, just in a different sense than the usual.

“I’m not immune to stress myself. Back when I was in the royal palace, I used to relieve stress thanks to those little troublemakers, but recently, that’s not true.”

“…..”

“Now that I’m away from the palace, it seems like they’ve loosened up, so it’s nice to chat with my siblings again, isn’t it?”

“Uh… okay.”

Is it like a comforting stuffed toy? I was starting to feel uneasy.

More like a punching bag, if I’m being honest. I think I get the general idea.

Those twins will eventually create a mess. I’ll end up picking on them to relieve my stress.

“And I should mention, I’ve warned you. The wildling with the red eyes will be keeping an eye too, so if you don’t want your head to crack open, I suggest you keep it down.”

“Why include me?”

“Because it’ll be fun.”

Fun… yeah, I can see that. The memory of smashing Leo’s head with a liquor bottle is still fresh in my mind.

If that trauma’s still cooking, I wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

Of course, as the saying goes, old habits die hard; it’s wise to remain vigilant.

“Karas.”

“Speak.”

“Is it okay to say that out loud?”

The problem is the place we’re in. This isn’t a VIP seat; we’re just sitting anywhere.

There are quite a few people around, and some even started giving us pointed looks at our conversation.

But Karas didn’t seem to care; he shrugged and spoke nonchalantly.

“There’s no big issue, right? It’s better for the rumors to spread. It’ll sound as a warning that they shouldn’t mess around.”

“…..”

“I’m looking forward to the newbie banquet. I hope you can make it.”

That sounded suspiciously like being told to smash Leo’s head with a liquor bottle again. I brushed off his comment.

The troublemaker twins are important, but what’s even more pressing is Reina. Those mischief-makers will surely take an interest in her.

Leo’s interest will be purely rational, and Diana isn’t exactly the most pleasant character; it’s clear she’ll be keeping tabs.

‘I’m practically being sidelined by the rumors.’

Unfortunately for Reina, she doesn’t get treated well among her peers. There are many from the Eastern Empire.

People tend to associate with those from their own region, and this tendency is even stronger when in a foreign land.

Of course, most of the new arrivals from the East are noble-born, which makes it a little murky.

But beyond that, there was something particularly crippling for Reina: communication.

‘If she talks in her nonsensical way, anyone will ignore her.’

This is the best way to sum up Reina. A warrior’s strength paired with a lack of brains.

She’s got the strength in spades, but when it comes to brains—studying brains, that is—she’s severely lacking, making her unable to master the common tongue.

That puts her in prime position to be overlooked. And while Frozen promises a degree of freedom, the Academy doesn’t.

It’s said you need to wear a ‘mask’ to thrive, but Reina’s forthright personality means she’s easy to notice, for better or worse.

[Next, the Chancellor will give a speech.]

Once the oaths were finished, Rod’s speech followed. As he took the stage, a bit of commotion spread through the audience.

After all, Rod’s appearance had changed, looking much younger than before, so it’s only natural people were curious.

“Hm? He looks younger than before… could it be that he’s leveled up? This was unexpected.”

“…..”

Look at that. Even Karas didn’t hide his surprise.

This only proves how elevated Rod’s standing has become, and how it’s grown even more.

Going through the reversal-transmutation process is a clear sign of skill improvement. It means the Academy’s restrictions have tightened.

[Hmph.]

When Rod cleared his throat, the chaotic audience went quiet in an instant. I listened closely to what Rod had to say.

Once the room settled down, Rod surveyed the crowd, then began to speak in his signature calm tone.

[There are many new faces. Everyone looks so vibrant.]

Being a formal event, Rod started with formal speech, different from usual. At a glance, it might sound like a typical speech.

[Work hard moving forward, and I hope you all graduate healthy. That’s all.]

But his speech wrapped up in less than thirty seconds. Perhaps stunned by its brevity, the new students exchanged glances, questioning if that was normal.

In fact, that short speech was no different from the one he delivered a year ago at the entrance ceremony. Rod usually prefers the long-winded type.

At some point, he became disinterested and started keeping it short. That’s just his style.

‘Is there anything special compared to that?’

The event staff seemed to have anticipated Rod’s short speech; they proceeded without any hitches.

After the speech, the newbies scrambled to head somewhere, most likely heading to their dormitory.

I figured I didn’t need to be here any longer. Just as I was about to quietly get up…

“Sivar.”

“I’m not going.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet?”

It was pretty obvious. “Let’s go see my siblings” is what he was hinting at.

There’s nothing else I want to see other than their faces. Especially with Leo, who I feel like I’d jab if I laid eyes on him.

Considering the humiliation Eli almost faced during the newbie banquet, it just adds to the sentiment.

“Going to see your siblings, right?”

“Seems you know me well. You coming?”

“Not going.”

“If you go, you’ll get a chance to hit Leo in the face.”

“Let’s go.”

Now we’re talking! Without hesitation, I followed Karas.

If only there was a bottle nearby, but that’s a wish for another time.

Oh, and just to clarify, I’m not planning to hit right off the bat. I’m not insane or anything, am I?

Plus, we won’t meet immediately. After we’re assigned to our dorms, we’ll talk separately.

We’ll probably chat until then. I can’t help but be the center of attention.

But as they say, talk of the devil…

“Hyung?”

“Brother?”

“Oh, my beloved siblings.”

For reasons unknown, the troublemaker twins weren’t heading to their dormitory but were lingering in the auditorium.

I guess they just wanted to take the opportunity to build some connections and confirm faces.

But by their baffled expressions, it seems they didn’t foresee Karas showing up.

Thanks to that, they attracted a level of attention they didn’t need. The royal family of the Matra Empire in one spot.

“W-wait, is that guy next to you…?!”

Leo, one of the twins, gawked at me. The pointing finger confirmed he knew who I was.

If he hadn’t recognized me, I’d have been seriously disappointed. Even if he didn’t remember, something about me would definitely trigger a recollection.

“Hey there. Long time no see.”

“Y-you, how dare you speak informally in my presence…!”

He tried to act all high and mighty. But honestly, that’s a completely normal reaction.

I doubt anyone else talks informally to royalty. And I’m probably the only one who can pull it off.

I stared at Leo, who was stammering due to trauma, before shifting my gaze to Karas.

“Karas.”

“Yes?”

“Got any bottles lying around?”

“…..”

That question made Leo’s mouth snap shut like a clam. His complexion turned pale on top of that.

Diana, the girl twin, seemed to have heard something and awkwardly giggled but didn’t say a word.

Looking quite regal, she definitely had the looks of a princess, but with a total lack of morals and common sense, that doesn’t help.

“Oh, it’s been a while. Your name was…”

“Sivar.”

“Ah, right. Sivar, wasn’t it? Do you remember me?”

“Sure. Diana.”

“You… you remember!”

We engaged in a bit of small talk to break the awkwardness. But seriously, what am I doing here?

Caught up in Karas’s flow, I ended up in this conversation. It’s starting to feel like a burden.

As I was about to make my escape under the pretext of needing the bathroom, an undeniable phrase caught my attention.

“By the way, brother, why did you bring this gentleman with you?”

“Oh, Sivar? You’ll be seeing a lot of him moving forward.”

“Why’s that?”

At Diana’s question, Karas answered with his typical bright-eyed expression.

“Well, he might just teach you as an assistant.”

“What?”

“?”

Wait a second.

‘How the hell does he know that?’

Does this guy also have the ability to see the future?