Alex:
(Even though I never studied and learned how to read and write the hard way, there's at least one thing I know: at school, there's something called the "opening ceremony." Basically, it's the moment when holidays evaporate and students come back to suffer. And that's exactly what's happening. For an entire week, perched on my rooftop, I had to endure the parade of all these rich brats from high society. Absolute hell.)
Alex was sitting on a roof, legs crossed in a forced meditation pose. One elbow rested on his knee, his head propped up by his hand, as he watched the sunset while complaining nonstop.
"Damn it… night's about to fall and they're still not done?"
Footsteps echoed behind him. Without even turning around, he muttered:
"What do you want, Karden?"
The black knight stopped short, one eyebrow raised.
"Why do you look so miserable?"
Alex glanced at him. Karden immediately returned to his usual stern expression.
"Princess Melty asked me to inform you that your presence as her guard is mandatory for tomorrow's ceremony."
Alex: (Huh?)
"Tell her not to worry, I'll be there," Alex replied. "But the real problem is you. With that gloomy armor, you look like you just walked out of a funeral."
Karden turned around, unfazed.
"That is none of your concern."
As he left, Alex shifted his attention back to the convoy below. Only one luxurious carriage and a single wagon remained; the rest of the procession was finally leaving.
(Must be the last ones. Tomorrow's the official opening.)
He stood up and stretched.
"Well, that's enough for today. Tomorrow's going to be exhausting."
He climbed down from the roof and walked along the paths, hands in his pockets. As he passed near the last carriage, its door suddenly opened. All Alex caught was the back of a female figure with long orange hair disappearing into the building.
---
Later that night
In his room, Alex was already asleep, half-naked, hair completely messed up. Nearby, Karden meticulously polished his scythe. Melty, assisted by her maid, hesitated in front of a mountain of clothes for the next day.
Meanwhile, Ella sat at her desk, surrounded by floating orbs of magical light, buried in her books. Marie suddenly barged into the room.
"What are you still doing awake with all these lights on?"
"I needed proper lighting to prepare my classes," Ella replied without looking up.
Marie walked over, snatched the pen from her hand, and sighed.
"It's amazing how stupid you can be."
"Huh?!"
With a swift motion, Marie lifted the young mage and threw her onto the bed.
"I refuse to have people say I neglect my mistress because she has dark circles down to her cheeks. Turn off those magic lights and sleep. Now."
Pinned to her mattress, Ella stared at her with wide eyes.
(She's serious… isn't she?)
Marie didn't move an inch, staring Ella down until she finally drifted off to sleep. Only then did the maid leave, muttering:
(That girl is really something else…)
The next day, the academy's grand multipurpose hall was overflowing with people. Students stood in tightly packed rows, most accompanied by bodyguards. On the stage, the administrators and professors wore solemn expressions.
At the front of the left row stood Melty, Alex, and Karden. Alex wore a gray jacket bearing the insignia of the Royal Guards, a sword at his waist, and an intricate metal pauldron. Karden remained an ominous, shadowy presence in his black armor. But it was Melty who drew the most attention—she was wearing a male uniform: black trousers and a white shirt.
"What's with that outfit?" Alex whispered. "Aren't girls supposed to wear skirts?"
"Mind your own business," Melty replied coldly. "It's my choice, and I hate skirts."
Alex: (Damn… why do I have to guard the most annoying princess in the entire kingdom?)
He cast a sympathetic glance at Karden. (You have my condolences.)
The ceremony began. A woman of advanced age—Navy Princile, the headmistress—stepped forward to a magical sphere that amplified her voice.
"Good morning, and welcome to the thirty-sixth class of the Royal Academy. It is an honor to receive young minds with such a thirst for knowledge—"
Alex tuned out almost instantly. His gaze wandered across the hall.
(This is unbearable… nothing but spoiled rich kids everywhere. By the way, where did Ella go?)
Suddenly, the headmistress continued:
"And now, we will welcome to this stage a prodigy whose reputation needs no introduction. A pure talent—Ella Lumano! Despite her young age, she is the future of our institution."
Alex: (What? What is this, some kind of gala?)
Ella appeared on the stage—completely transformed. She wore a shimmering white dress, her hair pinned up with a silver ornament adorned with crystals. Her makeup was flawless, enhancing her usually simple features. She looked frozen with embarrassment.
(Marie… what did you do to me?) Ella thought. (I'm going to die of shame…)
"Impressive," Melty commented. "They're using her as a promotional display."
From a corner of the hall, Marie admired her work.
"I outdid myself. Look at them all—completely speechless…"
That was when she locked eyes with Alex. His expression showed pure discomfort, almost disgust, at all the excessive decoration.
Marie: (How dare he look at my masterpiece with that idiotic face?!)
Alex: (Promotion is one thing, but this is too much. I almost didn't recognize her. At this rate, she's going to crack mid-speech.)
Marie, boiling with rage, was interrupted by Sophia.
"Hey, Marie! We need you at the buffet."
"Wait! There's a guy I need to dismantle first!"
"Relax," Sophia laughed. "I know who you mean. He does look kind of dumb—and he's the princess's guard. Don't ruin your day over that."
---
On the stage, Ella was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. But when she met Alex's awkward, almost painful stare, an irresistible urge to laugh rose within her. Her fear vanished in an instant. She placed her hand on the magic sphere.
"Hello. I am Ella Lumano, a graduate of this academy. This year, I will be joining the teaching staff for the magical disciplines. I'm not very good at speeches… so I'll simply say this: discover this place for yourselves. It is wonderful. Thank you."
Silence followed—then an explosion of applause.
"She's incredible!" "She's so beautiful and humble!" "I absolutely want to attend her classes!"
Alex smiled inwardly.
(The speech itself wasn't anything special, but her presence did all the work. Well done, Ella.)
Their eyes met briefly as she stepped down from the stage.
"With that," Navy Princile concluded, "I hereby declare the thirty-sixth academic year officially open!"
The crowd moved toward the buffet. Alex stuck close to Melty, already bored again. The headmistress approached Ella to congratulate her, while Ella searched for a way to escape.
Suddenly, as he walked, Alex bumped into a girl shorter than himself. He immediately bowed out of reflex.
"My apologies, miss."
Then he continued on his way without looking back. The orange-haired girl watched him leave, thoughtful.
(With that face, I would've sworn he was a student… but he's a guard. Still—he's incredibly handsome.)
END OF THE CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: Royal Academy – The Problem