Academy (1)
Four days had passed since I killed Mathias Windrider, and the memory of it still clung to me like a shadow. The nightmares didn't help. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face—twisting in pain, his emerald-green eyes burning with hatred even as life left his body. I'd wake up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest.
But I couldn't let it stop me. I couldn't let the morals of a modern world hold me back. This wasn't Earth. This was Elysia, and here, the rules were different. The strong prospered, and the weak suffered. If I hesitated, if I let myself get caught up in guilt or pity, I'd die. It was as simple as that.
I wasn't the protagonist of this world. I didn't have plot armor or divine blessings. All I had was myself, and if I wanted to survive, I needed to do whatever it took.
---
The past four days hadn't been idle. I spent almost every waking moment absorbing the mana stones I'd taken from Hackendor. The first time I tried, it felt like fire coursing through my veins. My body wasn't used to handling mana, and the process left me exhausted and in pain. But it worked.
By the end of the fourth day, I'd awakened a one-star mana core. It wasn't much, but it was a start. My stats had improved too, though only slightly:
Name: Julius Vaelorian
Race: Human
Mana Core: ☆
Stats:
- Strength: E
- Agility: E+
- Endurance: E
- Intelligence: E
- Charm: G-
It wasn't great, but it was progress.
---
"Joseph," I said, standing in the training room on the east side of the manor.
The butler, as always, was calm and composed. "Yes, Young Master?"
"I need you to teach me how to fight."
Joseph raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my request. "Hand-to-hand combat?"
"Whatever you think will help me survive at the academy," I said. "I can't rely on magic alone, and I don't have the luxury of sitting back and letting others protect me."
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Let's begin."
---
The lessons were brutal.
Joseph didn't hold back, and I didn't want him to. He taught me the basics—how to throw a punch without breaking my hand, how to block and dodge, and how to position myself in a fight. I wasn't a natural, but I was determined.
Every session left me battered and bruised, but it was worth it. Slowly but surely, I started to improve. My movements became sharper, my reflexes quicker. I wasn't anywhere near competent yet, but I wasn't completely helpless either.
---
The morning of my departure to the academy, I stood in my room, packing the last of my belongings. As I folded the final set of clothes, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My face looked tired, but my eyes were sharp.
"This is it," I muttered. "Time to face whatever this world throws at me."
As I turned to leave, the door to my room slammed open.
"Julius!"
I sighed. Of course, he'd show up now.
Standing in the doorway was my younger half-brother, Blake Vaelorian. He was fourteen, shorter than me, with the same black hair and light blue eyes that marked us as Vaelorians. But that was where the similarities ended. Blake's expression was twisted with disdain as he glared at me, and I could already tell this wasn't going to end well.
"You're pathetic," he sneered. "Do you really think you're going to survive at the academy? Everyone knows you're a disgrace to the Vaelorian name."
I raised an eyebrow. "Good morning to you too, Blake."
"Don't act smug," he snapped. "You're nothing but a coward and a failure. You don't deserve to represent our family."
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. "Blake, I don't have time for this."
"Of course, you don't," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Running away as usual."
I turned to him, activating *Appraisal*.
Name: Blake Vaelorian
Race: Human
Mana Core: None
Stats:
- Strength: G+
- Agility: F-
- Endurance: G
- Intelligence: G+
- Charm: G+
Not impressive.
"You're in no position to talk, Blake," I said, my voice cold. "You're weaker than I am."
His face turned red with anger. "What did you just say?!"
Before he could say more, I backhanded him.
The impact sent him flying into the wall, where he crumpled to the floor in a heap. A gasp rippled through the servants who had gathered to watch, their faces pale with shock.
I stepped forward, looking down at him. "Don't forget your place, Blake. You may hate me, but I'm still your elder brother. Learn some respect."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving him humiliated in front of the staff.
---
The journey to the Royal Academy took several hours, giving me plenty of time to think.
The academy was one of the most prestigious institutions in Lovina, reserved for the nobility and the most talented commoners. It was a breeding ground for elitism, where lower nobles were treated like dirt, and commoners were barely tolerated.
The academy's students were ranked based on their strength and potential, with the top five holding the highest status:
1. **Alex Clay** – The protagonist and the current holder of the Hero skill.
2. **Sophia Belmont** – The princess of Lovina and Alex's eventual love interest.
3. **Arthur Blackwood** – The arrogant young master and one of Alex's rivals.
4. **Amethyst Kogari** – A foreign noble with a rare bloodline.
5. **Makol Rucandel** – The son of a famous holy knight.
As for me? I was ranked 245. Not great, but not terrible either. My rank was based on the old Julius's stats, though. Once my new abilities were revealed, that would change.
---
The academy's entrance ceremony was held in a grand hall filled with hundreds of students. At the front stood Headmaster Hugh Janus, a balding man with a booming voice who looked like he hadn't smiled in decades.
"Welcome, students," he said, his tone as dull as his appearance. "You are the future of Lovina. Some of you will rise to greatness. Others… will fail. Let us begin."
His speech was as uninspiring as expected, but I tuned it out, focusing instead on the faces around me.
---
After the ceremony, I made my way toward the dorms, my bag slung over my shoulder.
As I turned a corner, I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Sorry," I said automatically, looking down to see who I'd hit.
It was a girl with short black hair and bright red eyes. My heart sank.
Chiyo Sakuragi.
She stared at me, her expression frozen, before suddenly screaming, "Get away from me!"
I stepped back, confused. "I didn't mean to—"
Before I could finish, another voice cut in.
"What's going on here?"
I turned to see Arthur Blackwood storming toward us, his face a mask of fury.
"Did you do something to her?" he demanded, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.
I sighed. Of course, this was happening.
"I didn't do anything," I said, keeping my tone calm.
Arthur didn't seem to care.
"I challenge you to a duel," he said, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of the surrounding students.
Great. Just what I needed.