Help, I Got Isekai’d into a School Instead of a Throne

Arctha stood frozen, staring at the enormous sign looming above the entrance. Starlight Spell Academy.

Academy. Academy. As in school.

Oh, hell no.

Her dream of an effortless princess life shattered like cheap glass. This wasn't a castle. There were no thrones, no banquet halls, no adoring servants fanning her with oversized leaves. Instead, before her stretched a massive, enchanted fortress, its stone walls glowing faintly with shifting runes. Towering spires spiraled into the sky, defying gravity, and floating lanterns drifted lazily through the air like fireflies. A faint hum of magic vibrated in the atmosphere, making her skin tingle.

Students milled about the grand courtyard—hundreds of them. Some wore shimmering capes, others donned elegant robes embroidered with strange symbols. A group of girls practiced spells near a fountain, their hands glowing with energy, while a boy casually levitated a stack of books beside him as he walked.

Arctha's eye twitched. Why does everyone look so… competent?

She glanced at the rune-blade man still gripping her hand, his stern gaze locked ahead. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated an air of importance, like some kind of royal knight.

"Okay, hold up," she said, yanking her hand free. "I think there's been a mistake. I'm supposed to be, you know… in a castle. With servants. And zero responsibilities."

Veyna, who had followed them silently, let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, but this is where all princesses begin, dear."

Arctha's stomach dropped. "I—what?"

The rune-blade man sighed, clearly annoyed. "This is the Starlight Spell Academy, where those of noble blood learn magic, diplomacy, combat—everything required to rule a kingdom."

Arctha blinked. "Magic?"

A nearby student flicked their wrist, casually setting a scroll on fire before extinguishing it with a snap of their fingers.

She swallowed hard. "Yeah, see, I don't think I have any of that."

Veyna's smile didn't waver. "Your gauntlet suggests otherwise."

Arctha glanced down at the elaborate golden accessory still wrapped around her hand. The skeletal metalwork shimmered in the light, the embedded purple gemstones pulsing with a slow, steady glow.

She gulped. "That's… decorative."

The rune-blade man scoffed. "It's an Ise gauntlet. Only those with magic can wield one."

"Okay, but—"

"Welcome, Princess Arctha!"

A booming voice cut through the courtyard, making her jump. A new figure approached—a tall, elderly man with an extravagant, floor-length robe. His beard was impressive, reaching mid-chest, and his piercing blue eyes twinkled with authority.

"I am Headmaster Eldrin, and it is my greatest honor to welcome you to our academy!" He spread his arms dramatically, as if she should be thrilled. "You have been chosen to join the ranks of future rulers and warriors of the realm!"

Arctha blinked at him. Then at the rune-blade man. Then back at the headmaster.

"Uh-huh. So… what happens if I say no?"

Silence.

Veyna's smile didn't waver. "That… is not an option."

Arctha groaned. Of course it wasn't.

"You will begin your training immediately," Eldrin continued, completely ignoring her reluctance. "Classes include spellcasting, enchanted weaponry, kingdom strategy, and, of course, the art of royal etiquette!"

Arctha let out a strangled laugh. "Great. Fantastic. So when do I get my crown and castle?"

The headmaster chuckled. "After you survive your trials, of course!"

A slow, creeping dread settled into her stomach.

"Trials," she repeated. "Like… multiple? As in, life-threatening obstacles designed to test my endurance and intelligence?"

Eldrin beamed. "Exactly!"

Arctha stared at him. "I hate this place."

"Wonderful!" The headmaster clapped his hands, and the air around her shimmered. "Your uniform and schedule will be delivered to your dormitory! Welcome to Starlight Spell Academy, Princess Arctha!"

Before she could protest, there was a flash of light—and suddenly, she was gone.

When the light faded, Arctha found herself standing in a massive, opulent room. A giant four-poster bed, draped in luxurious fabrics, dominated the space. Ornate bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather-bound tomes. A fireplace crackled with blue flames, casting an eerie glow.

For a brief moment, she thought, Okay, maybe this isn't so bad.

Then she noticed the large parchment floating in front of her. She squinted at the text.

Welcome, Princess Arctha!

Your Schedule:

• 6:00 AM – Combat Training (Mandatory)

• 8:00 AM – Spellcasting Fundamentals (Good Luck!)

• 10:00 AM – Magical Theory & History (Try not to fall asleep!)

• 12:00 PM – Lunch (You earned it!)

• 1:00 PM – Enchanted Diplomacy (Don't embarrass yourself.)

• 3:00 PM – Royal Etiquette (Yes, you have to.)

• 5:00 PM – Trial Preparation (You'll need it.)

Arctha's eye twitched.

Six. A. M. Combat. Training.

She let out a long, suffering groan and flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"How," she muttered to herself, "did I go from 'potential queen' to 'magical boarding school prisoner' in under an hour?"

Her gauntlet pulsed again, and the disembodied voice whispered in her head:

"Welcome back to Lala Land."

Arctha covered her face with a pillow and screamed.

Then she recounted everything that had happened.

"I got stalked by some weird person—looked like a kid, acted like an adult—super strange behavior, like eating cigars for some reason. Next thing I know, I end up in some bizarre world, and instead of getting a palace where I can relax and do nothing, I get thrown into a school, get a meeting with double door and now a creepy voice is welcoming me to 'Lala Land.' Ohhh, I feel so welcome. This is exactly how I imagined my life going. Love that for me."

As Arctha screamed into her pillow, the academy grounds remained undisturbed. A vast rainbow stretched across the sky, its shimmering hues bathing the towering spires in ethereal light. Inside the grand hall of Starlight Spell Academy, six emblems loomed overhead, each a proud representation of the Great Houses, their intricate designs woven with the essence of the paths they embodied.

One bore the image of a majestic lion with a fiery mane, holding a flame in its paw, celestial symbols of the moon and stars twinkling in the background—a testament to strength and power. Another displayed a black-winged griffin, its divided shield adorned with ancient markings, embodying nobility, balance, and wisdom. A third depicted a serpent with a dragon's head, coiled beneath a crescent-lit sky, its swirling form whispering of mystery and cunning.

Further along, an emblem revealed a green serpent entwined with flourishing vines, an open book resting at its base, symbolizing knowledge and growth. Beside it, a black eagle soared against a sunlit backdrop, surrounded by inscriptions of forgotten wisdom. Finally, the last crest showcased a golden phoenix, its wings wreathed in flames, nestled within lush foliage—a beacon of resilience, honor, and rebirth.

These six houses, their legacies carved into the very foundation of the academy, stood as silent guardians over those who walked their chosen paths.