Golden Crown Academy

THE NIGHT PASSED and the morning came peacefully, although almost half of the people in the Capital were already awake even before the sun rose. One of them was Hades. The whole day will be a busy one, and he made sure that he would come prepared. Two pocket books, the new fountain pen, his pocket watch, his gold card that would help the guard knights recognize him as someone who will be taking the exam, and his training clothes. All of that was enough for today.

Hades walked out of the room and walked down to the lobby, then soon left the inn after informing the counterperson of his leave. He walked to the academy, since he made sure it wasn't that far from the inn he chose to stay. It was a simple fifteen minute walk, and he had already arrived by the gate. Showing his gold pass to the guard knight, his gaze found its way to the main building, which was right in front of him.

It was an enormous and wide seven story building that was akin to a small castle or a palace. Its colors were white, black, beige, and of course, gold. And atop its entrance was the academy's official name.

Golden Crown Academy. It was carved on a white marble plate in a beautiful golden font.

And on top of that is the academy's official insignia. A red-feathered hawk with a golden crown on its head. From what Hades learned in a history book, the red feathered hawk represents the Grimes Empire's people, and the golden crown symbolizes the said people as bright yet dominant and talented. According to ancient records, the red hawk with a golden crown was also the personal mark of Grimes Empire's very first ruler and the Golden Crown Academy's sole founder, Emperor Adam Grimes.

Hades walked with a normal pace, carrying a small bag over his shoulder. All other examinees were walking near him as well, and most of them were nobles. He could even hear them whispering.

"Look at that white haired man, isn't he quite a looker?"

"But isn't he a commoner?"

"His hair feels ominous. He's really an examinee?"

"Is that hair even natural?"

"Wait, he's an examinee?! I thought he was some old man applying as a professor!"

Hades couldn't care less, but being talked about because of his hair gave him a sense of déjà vu. White is an unusual hair color, he knows that much, but he can't do anything about it, it's become his natural hair color now. Although it might be different this year, because he's finally entering the academy, he doubts that training here will be worse than his training with the Grand Duke. Stress and strain won't pile up on him again, if anything he's got a chance to vent them all out now.

"HA-DE-SSSSS! There you are, you punk!" Before he could even turn to the direction where that familiar voice came from, Hades was head-locked by the source of that loud voice. His hand also made its way to Hades' white hair and messed it up. "Your white hair stands out wherever you go, don't you want to do something about it?"

It was Rufus, obviously, though this time he wasn't wearing his reading glasses. Hades slapped Rufus' hand away from his head and sighed. "You're so loud, don't you want to do something about that?" Hades asked back, and Rufus thought of it for a moment and shook his head. "I can't change it even if I want to, I'm naturally loud." He answered and Hades nodded.

"The same goes for my hair." He said and combed his hair properly with his calloused fingers. Rufus stepped back, and stared at him blank in disbelief. 'The more I converse with this bastard, the more I feel like I'm the dumbest person on earth. Just where did he get to learn of those witty comebacks huh?' He thought to himself.

Rufus was not the smartest person, and yesterday, reality slapped him with that fact. He was more of a history and language person, and he was weak in science and mathematics. And Hades was smart at everything without even thinking too much, and since he's a smart man, his comebacks and sarcastic remarks were awfully blunt and brutal, to the point that a patient man's patience would run thin.

"Anyway, should I wish you good luck? Luck should suffice to make you pass the with an average score." Hades says. See? Rufus thought to himself again and simply sighed. "I'm confident I'll pass, hell, I might even get listed in the top scorers. You're just too smart." Rufus defended.

Hades stared at him, his jet eyes were filled with disbelief and doubt. "Stop looking at me like that!" Rufus hissed like a spiteful cat, obviously pissed and was close to exploding, but Hades ignored him and glanced back at the main building. He stared at it for a few moments.

'I suppose this is where my work starts to get real', he thought and found himself smiling.

Walking to the main building, a comfortable silence reigned between the two men. Rufus was smiling and humming a jolly tune, while Hades was indifferent and silent. Both were excited on their own special way. Female examinees, of noble blood or of common blood, simply found themselves turning their heads to the two men's direction.

"Oh my gods, how can two friends look so pretty?"

"I can't even chose one of them."

"The white haired man looks ethereal, just a smile from him would make me faint in glory!"

Rufus held his laugh, covering his lips with a hand as he glanced at his side. One free hand rested on Hades' shoulder for support, they both came to a stop because of Rufus. "S-she just… I'm sorry-" Rufus let out muffled laughs, he tried so hard to hold it back.

Oh, if only they knew that Hades can actually be harsh and cold towards women, and he's definitely annoyed being a topic among women. He's not that friendly! Rufus saw that personally in the library yesterday. He heard two women talking about Hades at the library, and he also saw how Hades approached them. Rufus had thought that Hades was going to flirt with them in his friendly and gentleman way, but…

' "Will you leave? This is the library, and your voice is annoying and loud. I can't concentrate in reading at all." '

Rufus couldn't hide his shock at that moment. He first thought of Hades as a friendly gentleman who likes books, mathematics and science, but he was actually a serious man with a calm and smiling mask! He made a woman cry with mere sentences and a cold gaze! And his reason for doing that?

' "I dislike being a source of gossip right in front of my face. And I absolutely hate hearing such noises while I'm reading." '

Rufus couldn't help but let out a laugh after learning more about Hades that time. Back to the present, after a moment, Rufus was finally able to calm himself and straightened his posture. He sighs in satisfaction. "Hoh, that was a good laugh." He said, and Hades rolled his eyes.

Just as they were about to continue walking, they heard another woman's voice.

"The jolly dark haired one is exactly my type!"

Just after that, Hades glanced around to look, as if searching for someone. Rufus arched a brow at him and asked, "What? Are you looking for someone?" He asked, and Hades glanced back at him, his eyes traveling from top to bottom. Then responded.

"I was looking for the one they were talking about." Rufus was dumb-founded, his jaw dropped too, but the next second he became pissed.

"You little..! Are you actually an old man?! They were talking about me! Who else are the two pretty, white and dark haired duo here?!" Rufus exclaimed, but Hades rolled his eyes, ignoring him openly.

"But aren't they commoners? Well, they look like one."

"Are you blind? That dark haired man is Count Lefort's sole heir and only son! I've seen him with the Count in a lot of events before."

The hissing Rufus flinched after hearing that, his eyes observed Hades' expression and saw him grinning. Rufus was once again dumb-founded at his friend's reaction. Well, he did expected that his identity would come out as he enters the academy, but he didn't expect it to be this soon! "What the, is it that obvious?! And how come you're not surprised?!"

Hades let out a chuckle as he strides away from him, Rufus immediately tried to catch after him. "Answer me, Hades!"

"Why, I'm your close friend. Of course I'd` notice~"

"We only met yesterday!"