Chapter 15: The Entrance Ceremony

The grand hall of the Imperial Academy was a spectacle of wealth and power, its towering marble columns adorned with intricate golden engravings depicting past legends. Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in a soft glow, casting light upon the hundreds of students gathered for the entrance ceremony. The air buzzed with anticipation and hushed whispers as the newly admitted students found their seats, each assigned according to their rankings in the entrance exam.

Mira stood near the back, arms crossed, eyes sharp as they scanned the sea of noble heirs and prodigies. Her heart pounded in her chest, though she kept her expression calm. It was the first time she had stepped into the halls of the academy—an institution meant to nurture the next generation of knights, mages, and strategists. She could feel the weight of history pressing down on her, a silent reminder that she was an anomaly in this world.

She wasn't meant to be here.

But she would carve her own place, whether the world willed it or not.

Next to her, Nia fidgeted slightly, golden eyes darting around in wonder. It was clear she had never seen such opulence before. Her nekomimi ears twitched as she whispered, "This place is huge... Are we really supposed to be here?"

"We're here," Mira replied, firm but quiet. "That's all that matters."

At the front of the hall, the academy's headmaster, an elderly man with a long silver beard and piercing blue eyes, stepped forward, raising a hand to silence the murmurs. He was clad in a regal blue robe, embroidered with sigils of power. When he spoke, his voice carried authority.

"Welcome, students, to the Imperial Academy," he began, his tone measured and commanding. "You stand among the most promising individuals of this generation, chosen through rigorous trials and examination. This institution will refine you, test you, and shape you into the vanguard of our empire."

A few students nodded eagerly, while others sat stiffly, too composed to betray any emotion. Mira's lips curled slightly at the sight of the self-important nobles who believed their status alone would carry them through these years. They wouldn't last long against someone like me.

"As tradition dictates, we shall now hear from the highest-ranking candidate of this year's entrance exam." The headmaster gestured toward the podium. "Leon Vaelcroft, step forward."

Mira's body tensed the moment she heard that name. A slow, insidious feeling coiled in her chest, like fingers tightening around her throat. Him.

From the center of the room, a young man rose. His steps were measured, his posture impeccable as he ascended the stage. He exuded the aura of a natural-born leader—his golden-blond hair neatly styled, his navy-blue uniform pristine. His sharp blue eyes scanned the hall with quiet confidence.

Leon Vaelcroft. The protagonist of this world. The so-called chosen one.

Mira's hands clenched into fists before she could stop herself. The curse within her stirred violently, feeding her growing hatred. Her breaths came slow and measured, but she could feel it pressing against her mind, whispering, demanding.

You hate him. You despise him. You must ruin him.

She grit her teeth. I will. But on my own terms.

Leon reached the podium and addressed the assembly with a voice steady and composed. "Fellow students, it is an honor to stand among you. We have all proven our worth through trial and perseverance, and now, we embark on a new journey. This academy will push us beyond our limits, but together, we shall rise."

Applause rang out across the hall. His words were standard, predictable—yet effective. He carried himself with the ease of someone destined for greatness.

Mira loathed every second of it.

Beside her, Nia shifted uncomfortably. "Mira, you're shaking."

Mira exhaled sharply, forcing her fingers to relax. She hadn't even noticed. Damn this curse.

As Leon finished his speech, he cast a sweeping glance across the audience. For the briefest moment, his gaze met Mira's. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes before he turned away.

The headmaster stepped forward once more. "With the ceremony concluded, students will now be assigned to their respective classes based on their entrance rankings."

A list materialized in the air, illuminated with magical runes. Names arranged themselves in glowing gold letters, forming distinct groups.

Mira's eyes flicked toward her own name.

Class A.

She wasn't surprised. Despite everything, she had performed exceptionally well in the exams. What did surprise her was the other name listed right beside hers.

Leon Vaelcroft.

Her blood ran cold.

"Oh," Nia murmured, peeking at the list. "You're in the same class as him."

Mira's lips curled into something between a smirk and a grimace. Fate really was tempting her.

The students began filing out of the hall, heading toward their respective dormitories and classrooms. As Mira moved toward the exit, a voice stopped her.

"Mira Cadis, was it?"

She turned, eyes narrowing. Leon stood before her, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

The hall around them was emptying, but in this moment, the air between them felt charged.

Mira tilted her head, schooling her features into an unreadable mask. "Yes?"

Leon studied her for a moment, then said, "Your performance in the exam was… unexpected."

She smirked, folding her arms. "Disappointed?"

He didn't rise to the bait. "I don't believe in underestimating my peers. We'll be classmates, so let's not be strangers."

He extended a hand.

Mira stared at it, mind running through a hundred scenarios. Then, deliberately, she reached out—and lightly tapped his fingers before pulling away.

Leon's brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

As he walked away, Mira exhaled, tension still thrumming in her veins. This was only the beginning.

Nia nudged her. "You just made an enemy, didn't you?"

Mira's smile was all teeth. "I hope so."