For a young lady who, in her twenty years, had almost never left the walls of her family home, the spectacle unfolding before her was akin to traveling to another world.
Rose was literally drilling her neck, trying to keep her head in a proper position, but her eyes treacherously darted about. She followed the guard like an obedient lamb, but her gaze leaped across the academy grounds, absorbing every detail.
Huge educational buildings of white stone, overgrown with ivy. Neat, tiled avenues. Fountains with sculptures of ancient heroes. Green lawns where students lounged with books in their hands.
And everywhere — boys.
Boys, boys, boys.
They sat on benches, reading something. They stood in groups, loudly discussing their affairs. They ran across the lawns, chasing a ball. They laughed, argued, pushed each other — in short, behaved as young people temporarily freed from parental oversight should.
Rose felt like an ant that had accidentally crawled into a beehive.
But the main thing — she was trying to find, among this sea of burgundy uniforms, one single familiar silhouette.
Gilbert.
Where are you, you little scoundrel?
She peered into the faces of passing students, hoping to see familiar features.
But alas.
Finding a needle in a haystack was easier than locating her brother in this crowd.
Rose was so engrossed in her search that she didn't even notice they had approached the main building.
The guard stopped before a massive oak door and knocked politely.
"Mr. Director, a new student for you."
"Enter," came a low, authoritative voice from behind the door.
The door opened.
Rose hesitated for a second, gathering her courage, and stepped inside.
The Director's office was exactly what the office of the director of a prestigious academy should be. Huge, with high ceilings, walls hung with portraits of previous heads, and a massive mahogany desk piled high with papers.
But the Director himself... Rose didn't see him at first.
A man stood by the window, his back to her. Broad-shouldered, tall, with a military bearing. Even from behind, he radiated power and strength.
Rose swallowed.
"G-good afternoon, sir," she forced out, trying to make her voice sound as low and confident as possible. It didn't work very well.
The man slowly turned around.
And Rose understood why her mouth had suddenly gone dry.
Director Regis Almus was... impressive.
A stern face, as if carved from stone. Deep-set eyes the color of steel. A sharp jawline. Grey temples that only added to his distinguished air. And a gaze — so heavy that under it one wanted to immediately confess to all sins, including those one hadn't committed.
Rose instinctively straightened up.
"I am the Director of this academy, Regis Almus," he said, his voice sounding like a clap of thunder. "And you, I presume, are our new student?"
"Yes, sir," Rose nodded, trying not to look him directly in the eyes. "I arrived this morning."
"Good. Documents."
Rose approached the desk and placed the papers down. The Director took them, put on his glasses (which, oddly enough, made his sternness even more frightening), and began to study them.
Silence hung in the office. So thick it could be cut with a knife.
Rose stood, not daring to move, and prayed to all the gods that her forged documents would withstand the scrutiny.
Finally, the Director looked up.
"Hmm. Ruven Rosenberg. Third son of Baron Rosenberg from the northern province, correct?"
"Y-yes, sir."
The Director looked at the documents again, then at her, then back at the documents.
Rose felt cold sweat trickle down her back.
"I see," he set the papers aside and sighed heavily. "Tell me a little about yourself."
"What?" Rose blinked, not immediately understanding the question.
"Tell me about your goals for enrolling in this academy," the Director patiently explained. "What do you hope to achieve by studying here?"
Rose opened her mouth. And closed it.
She was prepared for document checks. For questions about her family. For formalities.
But to be asked about her goals?..
She blinked rapidly, trying to come up with something coherent.
Her goal? Oh, she had a goal. A very specific one.
Find one particular little scoundrel in this academy. Grab him by the scruff of the neck. Give him a good shake to get his brains back in place. And drag him home, to the altar and his bride.
But, of course, she couldn't say that out loud.
Rose hesitated, swallowed nervously, and forced a strained smile:
"I... I enrolled here because I want to learn a lot of new things."
The Director raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"
"You see," Rose cleared her throat, trying to add confidence to her voice, "I was born and raised in a small northern province. I, so to speak, know nothing at all about the big world. That's why I decided... to take the opportunity... to gain knowledge... lots of knowledge..."
She fell silent, feeling her cheeks begin to burn.
God, what nonsense was she spouting? It sounded like a motivational speech for five-year-olds!
But the Director suddenly smirked.
The corners of his stern lips twitched, and for a moment Rose saw that this man could indeed smile.
"Understood," he said. "Well then, you have indeed come to the right place. At the Arden Academy, you will be able to learn many new things. And not just from books."
"Ah, yes..." Rose breathed a sigh of relief.
But the Director wasn't finished.
"However, before you begin your studies, I must warn you about something."
"What about?" Rose tensed.
"Come here."
The Director gestured for her to come to the window. Rose obediently approached and stood beside him.
From here, there was a stunning view of the academy grounds. Green lawns, shady avenues, students scurrying back and forth.
But the Director's attention was fixed on one specific spot. He pointed a finger downwards.
"Do you see that, Lord Rosenberg?"
Rose looked closely and... gasped.
Right under the windows, on a neatly trimmed lawn, two boys were viciously pummeling each other. They were rolling on the grass, raining blows on their opponent, completely unashamed in their language. A small crowd of onlookers had gathered around them, whooping and yelling advice, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Go on, Carl! Hit him good!"
"Don't give up, Edward! Show that upstart!"
Rose watched the brawl with her mouth open.
She had, of course, heard that men sometimes settled scores with their fists. But like this — in broad daylight, in front of everyone, at an elite academy?
The sight was... captivating. And a little frightening.
However, the disorder didn't last long.
Within five minutes, academy guards ran up to the lawn. They deftly pulled the brawlers apart, even though they continued to struggle and spew curses.
The crowd of onlookers reluctantly dispersed.
"In our academy," the Director said calmly, watching the scene, "strict rules regarding conduct are in effect. Fights and any other forms of public confrontation are strictly forbidden."
Rose nodded silently.
"And that's not all," the Director continued. "You can study the full list of rules later. But I want you to grasp the most important thing."
He turned and looked her straight in the eyes.
"Three violations. Three violations are enough for a student, regardless of their origin, academic performance, or connections, to be permanently expelled from the academy. Without the right to reinstatement."
That look sent a chill down Rose's spine.
"I... I understand, sir..."
"That student who participated in the fight," the Director nodded towards the window where the guards were already leading the brawlers away, "was one of the best in his year. An excellent student. The pride of the faculty. But today, because of this incident, he will be expelled. Along with his opponent."
Rose swallowed.
"Do you understand what I'm getting at?" the Director's voice became harder. "I hope your behavior will correspond to the high standards of our academy. We are not some common thoroughfare, but an elite educational institution. Future ministers, generals, diplomats study here. And we will not tolerate hooligans."
"Yes, sir," Rose replied quietly. "I understand everything."
She lowered her eyes, pretending to be moved by the solemnity of the moment.
But inwardly, of course, she was thinking something entirely different.
Rules? Violations? Expulsion?
What the hell did it matter?
She wasn't planning to stay here anyway. A week at most. She'd find Gilbert, grab him by the scruff, and they'd scram from this academy faster than the Director could issue her first warning.
These rules were written for those who planned to study here. And she did not.
"Well, I'm glad we understand each other," the Director seemed satisfied with her humble demeanor. "In that case, I won't keep you. You need to get settled and prepare for your first day of classes."
He handed her a stack of documents.
"Here is your schedule for the semester. Here is your student ID. And this is your class number and a list of required textbooks. Study all of this carefully by tomorrow."
Rose took the papers and nodded again.
"Alright, sir."
"Classes start tomorrow. Today you can familiarize yourself with the dormitory. If you have questions, contact your class supervisor. His name is Professor Arcton; he will be waiting for you tomorrow before your first class."
"Understood."
"You are free."
Rose bowed briefly and hurried to the exit.
Phew!
She stepped into the corridor and only now allowed herself to exhale.
Director Regis Almus turned out to be quite a character. Stern, perceptive, with that look that made you want to sink through the floor.
But she had managed!
Rose smiled at her thoughts.
After all, she was a count's daughter. She had been taught from childhood to maintain composure in front of anyone. Even in front of monsters like this Director.
"Lord Rosenberg?" The guard, who had been patiently waiting with her suitcase all this time, looked at her questioningly. "Shall we proceed to the dormitory?"
"Yes, of course," Rose nodded.
They went outside again.
And again, the same picture presented itself before Rose's eyes: boys, boys, boys. The academy was buzzing with life like a disturbed beehive.
Rose started turning her head again, looking for her brother.
Where are you, Gilbert? Where are you hiding, you little coward?
But he was nowhere to be seen. As if he had vanished into thin air.
However, Rose didn't lose hope. She had a whole day ahead of her, maybe several. She would definitely find him.
For now, as she followed the guard, admiring the luxurious landscapes of the academy, a strange thought involuntarily crossed her mind.
She had once dreamed of this.
A long, long time ago, when Rose was still a very young girl, she devoured novels about academies. About young ladies and noble lords who met in corridors, fell in love at balls, experienced adventures, and discovered first love.
She had so wanted to enroll in an academy someday too. To wear a uniform. To sit in lectures. To discuss professors and classmates with friends.
But, alas.
The Rosmund family was poor. Too poor to pay for a daughter's education at a prestigious academy.
Even Gilbert, the heir, hadn't been able to enroll there. All their savings went towards simply not starving to death and paying off debts.
Rose had accepted this. She had buried her dream deep in her heart and tried not to think about it.
And now, years later, fate had brought her here.
She was in an academy! In one of the best academies of the Empire!
True, a men's academy.
And illegally.
And with a fake passport.
And with her chest bound.
And with a wig on her head.
And with the sole purpose of finding her brother and dragging him home.
Rose smirked at her thoughts.
Well, dreams do come true. Just sometimes not exactly the way we imagine them.
Speaking of which. She wondered how her brother had managed to get in here? The Arden Academy was famous not only for its prestige but also for its tuition costs. Such money simply couldn't have appeared for Gilbert out of nowhere.
Rose frowned.
She would need to find that out. Definitely.
For now...
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked around.
The academy was truly beautiful. Manicured lawns, flowerbeds, ancient buildings nestled in greenery. Everything breathed nobility and history.
And the most amazing thing — Rose had gotten in for free.
It turned out that this year the Emperor had issued a decree to support talented youth. The Empire's academies were obliged to allocate budget-funded places for capable students from poor families.
The Arden Academy was one of the first to join this program.
Detective Klein, who had handled the documents, had managed to register Rose precisely as such a "talented applicant from the provinces."
And now here she was.
Rose mused, smiling at her thoughts, and completely forgot where she was.
She was following the guard, but her head was occupied with something else entirely.
"...Therefore, if you follow the rules, no problems will arise," the guard droned on, explaining something about the internal regulations. "It's especially important not to break curfew..."
Rose nodded, not listening.
And suddenly...
BAM!
Something heavy and round slammed right into her head.
Rose staggered, everything went dark, and she collapsed to the ground like a felled tree.
The last thing she heard before losing consciousness were someone's frightened shouts:
"Oh god! What have you done?!"
"I didn't mean to! He got in the way of the ball himself!"
"He's unconscious! Call a doctor!"
And then — darkness.