"Young Master. We've arrived!"
The coachman's booming shout yanked my half-asleep consciousness back to the surface in an instant.
I hadn't planned on sleeping, but perhaps the faint sunlight leaking through the window and the carriage's comfort had lulled me without realizing it.
The jolting vibrations stopped, and as the closed carriage door swung wide open, the dazzling sunlight pouring in made me squint involuntarily.
Crack, pop!
Having slept in the same position, I slowly turned my stiff neck left and right and opened my eyes.
"Ugh..."
Even in the finest magically enhanced carriage, sitting cramped for so long was still a chore.
As I stretched after waking, my joints screamed in protest, drawing an unintended groan from my lips.
"Faster than expected."
From the Dreadnote territory to the capital where the academy stood.
It wasn't a short trip by any means, so I'd figured two days at least.
Even the fastest route would take a full day, I'd thought.
But as if mocking my assumption, the carriage's unnaturally swift speed had gotten me from the territory to the academy's main gate in just half a day.
"Thanks to you, I arrived comfortably. Appreciate it."
"Just doing my job, sir."
I gestured to the coachman, who doffed his hat and bowed repeatedly.
My first task was waking Imir, who slumbered beside me.
"Wake up."
I poked her side. She looked like she could be carried off without noticing.
Zero sense of tension.
"Grr... Master... I won..."
We'd left with time to spare, no rush.
She should've gotten plenty of sleep.
Yet here she was, drooling and sleep-talking.
Watching her, I couldn't help but chuckle.
The infamous monster of the northern mountains, in a maid outfit, mumbling in her sleep.
If her tribesfolk saw this, their illusions would shatter, maybe even challenge her to a duel.
Oh, right. Precedent existed.
'It took those first captives a while to adjust.'
'...What? Why are you staring, you bastards? Quit gawking and get to work!'
Her thigh fully exposed in that maid outfit.
Recalling her red-faced bellow at the frost giant warriors staring blankly at their former chieftain.
It still made me snicker.
"We're here. Stop sleeping and get up."
"Yaaawn..."
She yawned hugely, stumbling out of the carriage.
Who'd mistake that for a maid?
At best, someone who'd think she was a weirdo wearing it for fun.
"Your skirt's hiked up. Fix it. People are staring."
"Ack! Warn me quicker, Master!"
I pitied her as she panicked and smoothed her skirt amid the men's glances.
"Catch."
"Damn it... Say something before throwing!"
I tossed her the luggage and stepped out.
Thud.
My foot hit the polished stone pavement, and crisp, fresh air filled my lungs deeply.
Unlike the cold, damp air of Dreadnote territory, the capital's felt more vibrant somehow.
I took a deep breath, then looked around.
The overwhelming sight made me pause, breath caught.
"This is..."
A pure white wall encircling like a massive fortress.
Beyond it, dozens of spires piercing the clouds, ancient grand buildings.
Above the main gate, a golden plaque gleamed imposingly.
[Royal Academy Eldaine]
The capital's heart, the continent's premier educational institution.
A cradle of dreams where talent alone granted entry regardless of status, gathering the finest minds.
The main stage of The Glory.
I'd seen this academy countless times playing The Glory, but what was this?
An inexplicable sense of awe washed over me.
The grandeur dwarfed the game graphics; goosebumps rose unbidden.
A giant's castle, radiating crushing pressure.
"Whoa. This is the academy? Insane. This is our new home?"
Imir, lugging the bags, gaped and muttered.
Her red eyes darted, drinking in the vast panorama like mine.
Fair enough.
First time seeing it; everything must seem wondrous.
In the original story, she'd never reach the capital.
She'd raze Dreadnote territory, lead a massive tribal alliance invading the kingdom, only to be repelled by the protagonists.
"Not home. School. Where we'll live from now on."
"School? Like a training camp for warriors?"
"Similar, in a way."
Her words weren't entirely wrong, so I nodded slightly.
Eldaine Academy offered studies in academics, magic, shamanism, swordsmanship—everything.
I turned from her still-gawking face toward the main gate.
It bustled with crowds already.
Thousands from across the continent.
Nobles with ornate crests, commoners here on talent alone.
Most striking: uniformed students.
Gold epaulets on shoulders, confident strides through the gate exuding subtle arrogance.
That one too. And him... All faces from the game.
From frequent extras to semi-supporting characters with real roles.
Seeing monitor data lumps move alive felt surreal.
And their outfits caught my eye.
Eldaine uniform, huh.
I'd seen it endlessly in-game, but wearing it for real felt fresh.
If this were just a game, I'd be screenshot-spamming right now.
"Prospective students, this way please!"
We passed the curious stares of students and headed toward the voice.
Around us, tense-faced freshmen like me milled about.
Eyes bright with anticipation, or wary glances.
I hadn't known before, but now I did.
These mere nameless extras in The Glory, each with their own stories and ambitions, gathered here.
"Useless idiots. Can't even follow orders right?"
"S-Sorry!"
"Mom. Dad. I'll do my best!"
Some noble kids already bossing servants around.
Young students tearfully farewelling parents dotted the crowd.
"Check your admission notice. Numbers 742 to 780, left side please!"
A clear-voiced staff woman, hands clasped, guided freshmen diligently.
"Ah... Young Master Evan Dreadnote, correct?"
"Yes... I mean, yes."
My ingrained habit of casual speech nearly slipped; I corrected hastily.
Life at the academy ahead—no need to make enemies.
"Welcome. High noble heirs receive separate guidance."
I knew. High nobles skipped entrance exams.
Special class placement test instead?
Not sure. My Iris playthrough was low nobility.
She aced the exam on merit, landing top class.
The examiner's jaw-drop was still vivid.
"This way for enrollment. Other freshmen, follow other staff!"
"Got it."
Stinging stares pricked my back as I followed.
No need to guess.
Skipping the exam irked them.
What can you do? Status society.
"Imir. Follow."
"Yeah. Coming."
Ignoring the piercing gazes, we soon reached our destination following the staff: Noblesse Hall, exclusive lounge for noble heirs.
Marble floors gleamed like mirrors.
A massive chandelier overhead blazed dazzlingly.
"Here we are. Wait briefly; the examiner will arrive soon."
"Thank you for guiding me."
"...Pardon?"
My polite words widened her eyes.
Like witnessing an orc recite poetry.
...What rumors have spread? How do they see me?
"Any further procedures?"
"...The examiner will explain."
She bowed gracefully and left.
I stared at the closing door, then turned to survey the hall.
Dozens of heirs clustered in groups, chatting.
The noble ritual: probing houses, forging connections.
But as I stepped toward them...
"..."
The lively buzz died like poured cold water.
Dozens of eyes locked on me.
Surprise, curiosity.
Thick contempt and mockery above all.
"Look. That Dreadnote wastrel."
"Actually enrolled? Disowned by his family, yet so shameless."
"Who's that girl? Maid? What's with the outfit?"
Whispers loud enough to hear drifted from everywhere.
Sure enough. Evan Dreadnote's notoriety reached the capital too.
Yeah. I'd expected it.
Even for trash like Evan, the rumors were viciously exaggerated.
How awfully had he lived for tales to spread this far?
Damn... that guy.
Experiencing it firsthand makes it even worse.