The dormitory door closed softly behind me.
For a moment, I simply stood there, unmoving, allowing the silence to wrap around me like a thin blanket. After days of noise, footsteps, and unfamiliar faces, the quiet felt almost sacred.
The room was… impressive.
Not quite on the level of the Leonhart estate—nothing short of a royal palace ever truly was—but for an academy dormitory, it was undeniably lavish. Polished wooden floors reflected the warm glow of mana lamps embedded discreetly into the walls. The light was soft, steady, and comforting rather than harsh. A wide bed occupied one corner, its sheets neatly arranged, untouched and inviting. Opposite it stood a sturdy desk carved from dark oak, shelves lining the wall above it, already stocked with basic texts and empty space waiting to be filled.
Heavy curtains framed a tall window, their fabric thick and expensive to the touch. A faint scent of fresh wood and clean linen lingered in the air—subtle, but unmistakable.
"…High standard indeed," I murmured.
I dropped my bag beside the desk with a dull thud and walked toward the window. Outside, the academy grounds stretched far and wide. Stone pathways curved elegantly between trimmed gardens and fountains, towers casting long shadows as the day slowly gave way to dusk. Students moved below like scattered dots—some laughing, some rushing, some standing in small groups deep in conversation.
The sun was beginning to set.
Orange light spilled across the sky, painting the clouds in shades of soft gold and ember-red. The glow washed over the academy, giving the ancient stone an almost gentle warmth, as if the place itself were pretending to be welcoming.
I rested my palm against the cool glass.
"So this is where it all happens," I said quietly.
Where geniuses rise.
Where monsters are born.
Where side characters disappear without ceremony.
My reflection stared back at me, faintly overlaid with the burning sky behind it.
I exhaled slowly and turned away.
After a quick wash, I changed into fresh clothes—nothing fancy, just comfortable and clean. As I adjusted my collar, a soft chime echoed through the room.
I froze.
"…That's new."
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the mana communicator issued during registration. Its surface shimmered faintly before forming a small, translucent projection in the air.
[Viola Val Valeris]
Are you free? We should go to the cafeteria together.
I stared at the message for a second longer than necessary.
"…So direct," I muttered.
Then again, Viola had always been like that—when she wasn't annoyed.
I tapped a reply.
[Rias von Leonhart]
Sure. Meet me in fifteen minutes?
A pause followed.
Then—
[Viola Val Valeris]
Alright. Don't be late.
A faint smile tugged at my lips.
Bossy as ever.
Slipping the communicator back into my pocket, I glanced once more around the room.
"Living in my own novel," I said to myself. "Who wouldn't be excited?"
The smile faded into something more wry.
"…Still, couldn't I at least have transmigrated into a decent body?"
I flexed my fingers. Weak. Improving—but weak.
I sighed and headed out.
The academy corridors were quieter in the evening.
Golden mana lamps floated along the walls, illuminating the stone halls with a soft, amber glow. Shadows stretched long beneath the arches, and footsteps echoed gently in the distance. Students passed by in small groups, their conversations hushed but animated—talk of rankings, dorm assignments, rumors, and first impressions.
I kept my head low.
Low profile. Remember that.
I reached the agreed meeting spot near the central hall and waited.
Right on time, Viola appeared.
She wore a simple dress now, light and practical, her usual academy layers gone. Her hair was tied loosely behind her, a few strands framing her face. Without the formal uniform, she looked younger—less like the proud count's daughter and more like a girl standing at the edge of something unknown.
"You're early," she said.
"Fifteen minutes exactly," I replied. "I have standards."
She snorted softly. "That's new."
"Hey," I said mock-offended, "I'm a changed man."
She glanced at me sideways. "You keep saying that."
"And you keep noticing," I shot back lightly.
She paused for half a step, then shook her head. "You're annoying."
"Thank you. I work very hard at it."
Despite herself, the corner of her lips twitched.
We walked together toward the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was enormous.
High ceilings arched overhead, supported by carved pillars etched with mana circuits. Lamps floated like gentle stars above the long rows of tables, bathing the hall in warm light. The smell of food filled the air—fresh bread, roasted meat, rich spices—instantly reminding me just how hungry I was.
Students crowded the space, voices blending into a constant hum.
Viola looked around, eyes wide. "It's bigger than I imagined."
"Everything here is," I replied. "Including expectations."
She rolled her eyes. "You're really set on ruining the mood, aren't you?"
"Someone has to keep things realistic."
We grabbed trays and moved along the serving line. Viola chose carefully, balancing her plate with precision. I, on the other hand, showed considerably less restraint.
She raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot."
"I trained all day," I replied solemnly. "My body demands compensation."
"It demands mercy," she corrected.
"Same thing."
We found an empty table near the side and sat down.
For a while, we ate in relative silence.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
It wasn't sudden, but it was unmistakable. Conversations softened. Laughter dulled. Whispers spread like ripples across water.
I felt it before I saw it.
"…Ah," I murmured.
Viola stiffened. "What?"
I looked up.
And there he was.
Aurelius de Solaria.
The third prince of the empire.
The male lead.
He entered the cafeteria with effortless confidence, flanked by two attendants. His silver hair caught the light, eyes calm and sharp, posture relaxed yet commanding. He wasn't trying to stand out—
Which somehow made it worse.
Students glanced his way instinctively. Some with awe. Some with envy. Some with thinly veiled hostility.
Viola froze.
Her hand, mid-motion, stilled.
I watched her carefully.
Her breath hitched, just slightly. Her eyes widened, then softened. A faint flush crept up her cheeks before she could stop it.
There it was.
The crush I had written myself.
I lowered my gaze, focusing on my food. Don't interfere. Don't matter.
But fate, as always, had a cruel sense of humor.
The cafeteria was packed.
Every table was full—except ours.
Of course.
Aurelius's gaze swept the room briefly before settling on us. He walked over calmly, stopping beside our table.
"May I?" he asked politely.
I forced a smile and nodded. "Go ahead."
He sat two seats away from Viola.
"Good evening," he said gently. "I'm Aurelius."
Viola nearly dropped her fork. "I—I know."
Her voice was softer than usual. Shyer.
I watched silently.
They spoke—about the academy, about classes, about expectations. Aurelius was exactly as I had written him: gentle, confident, attentive. The kind of man people naturally gravitated toward.
Viola barely touched her food.
Then Aurelius turned to me. "And you?"
I met his gaze briefly. "Rias."
He smiled. "Your relationship?"
Viola stiffened.
I glanced at her once, then back at him.
"Just a friend," I said calmly.
Aurelius nodded, accepting the answer easily.
I stood. "I'll excuse myself. I have some work to do."
Viola looked up, startled. "Rias—"
"I'll see you later," I said softly.
She nodded.
I left.
The corridor outside was quiet, night pressing gently against the windows. I walked slowly, hands in my pockets, watching the darkness drift past.
Something felt… empty.
I dismissed it.
Back in my room, I sat cross-legged on the bed and closed my eyes.
Breathing in.
Breathing out.
Mana flowed slowly. Painfully.
But I focused.
On growing stronger.
On surviving.
The night deepened.
Midnight passed.
At 2 a.m., I finally stopped, exhausted. After a drink of water, I collapsed onto the bed.
Sleep claimed me instantly.
And the academy continued to breathe around me.