Chapter 15: The Late Arrival
The evening sun hung low over the Royal Academy as the successful candidates gathered in the Grand Assembly Hall.
Headmaster Orion stood on the stage with several men and women behind him.
"Congratulations."
"You have survived your first examination."
"Many failed."
"Some quit."
"A few nearly died."
His gaze swept across the students.
"But all of you standing here have earned the right to call yourselves students of the Royal Academy."
Polite applause filled the hall.
The Headmaster turned and gestured toward the instructors.
"It is time to introduce the teachers who will shape your future."
A stern middle-aged man stepped forward.
"Sword Department."
"Professor Gareth."
A woman wearing emerald robes smiled gently.
"Magic Department."
"Professor Selene."
A burly dwarf with a braided beard folded his arms.
"Blacksmithing Department."
"Master Durgan."
Prince Borin's eyes immediately sparkled.
Several more professors introduced themselves before the Headmaster raised his hand.
"Tomorrow morning..."
"The Academy Rankings will be announced."
"The rankings will determine your dormitories, training resources, and certain privileges."
A murmur spread through the hall.
"Get some rest."
"You'll need it."
---
The Next Morning
Vee confidently walked out of his dorm.
"I know exactly where I'm going."
Five minutes later...
"...I have absolutely no idea where I'm going."
He stared at three different stone paths.
"They all look the same."
He pointed toward one.
"This one feels lucky."
It wasn't.
Twenty minutes later...
He found himself standing before an old iron gate.
A sign hung crookedly beside it.
RESTRICTED TRAINING ZONE
Vee blinked.
"...That doesn't sound like the auditorium."
Before he could turn around—
ROAR!
A wolf-like monster leaped from the bushes.
"...Of course."
Vee sighed.
"I was looking for directions."
The monster answered with another roar.
"I'll take that as a no."
A few minutes later...
The unconscious beast lay tied to a tree with vines.
Vee dusted off his hands.
"See?"
"Violence solved nothing."
He continued walking.
Unfortunately...
He had gone even deeper into the restricted area.
A giant stone golem slowly rose from the ground.
Vee looked at it.
The golem looked at him.
"...Listen."
"I'm lost."
The golem raised both fists.
"I'll assume you don't know where the hall is either."
---
Nearly forty minutes later...
Covered in dust, leaves, and monster slime...
Vee finally found a familiar stone road.
He looked at the enormous Academy Hall ahead.
"There you are!"
He pointed accusingly.
"You've been hiding from me."
Students passing by stared strangely.
Vee ignored them.
---
Inside the Grand Hall...
The ceremony had already begun.
"...And finally..."
"The student who has earned the highest rank."
Headmaster Orion paused.
"...Vee Ashford."
Silence.
No one stepped forward.
Professor Gareth frowned.
"Where is he?"
A student whispered,
"Did he run away?"
Leon scratched his cheek.
"...He's probably lost."
Aurelia sighed.
"Definitely lost."
Kai remained expressionless.
The doors burst open.
BANG!
Everyone turned.
Vee stood in the doorway.
His uniform was torn.
His hair was messy.
There was dirt on one cheek.
A leaf was stuck in his hair.
He looked around the silent hall.
"..."
"...Did I miss something?"
The Headmaster closed his eyes.
"You are late."
"I know."
"Your explanation?"
Vee sighed dramatically.
"I challenged the Academy..."
"...to a navigation contest."
"And I lost."
The hall fell silent.
Then...
Someone laughed.
Soon...
More students joined in.
Even a few professors smiled.
The Headmaster pinched the bridge of his nose.
"How did you even get into that condition?"
"I accidentally entered a restricted training zone."
Professor Gareth's eyes widened.
"The monster reserve?"
Vee nodded.
"It was very educational."
"You fought the monsters?"
"They were surprisingly unhelpful when I asked for directions."
Laughter erupted across the hall.
Even Headmaster Orion struggled to hide a smile.
He finally shook his head.
"Very well."
"You are ranked..."
"...Apex."
The hall exploded into whispers.
"The highest rank?"
"Him?"
"But he arrived late!"
The Headmaster raised a hand.
"He achieved the highest overall evaluation during the entrance examination."
"No student surpassed him."
He looked toward Vee.
"As the Apex-ranked student..."
"You will give this year's opening speech."
Vee froze.
"...Can I decline?"
"No."
"...Worth asking."
He slowly walked onto the podium.
Hundreds of eyes followed him.
Vee looked at the crowd.
Then at the professors.
Then back at the crowd.
He cleared his throat.
"...Good morning."
Silence.
"I had a wonderful speech prepared."
A pause.
"Unfortunately..."
"I got lost."
Laughter rippled through the hall.
"So instead..."
"I'll just say what's on my mind."
He looked around.
"We're all here because we think we're special."
He pointed toward the noble section.
"Some of you think your family name makes you important."
Several nobles shifted uncomfortably.
He pointed toward the commoners.
"Some of you think you'll never catch up because you weren't born into powerful families."
Many commoners lowered their heads.
Vee smiled.
"I think both groups are wrong."
The room grew quiet.
"If a noble never trains..."
"He's just a lazy noble."
A few students laughed.
"And if a commoner refuses to believe in themselves..."
"They've already helped their enemies win."
The commoners looked up.
"So..."
"Let's stop judging people by their titles."
He grinned.
"Judge them by whether they can actually find the dining hall."
The entire hall burst into laughter.
"Trust me."
"That's a much harder test."
Even the professors chuckled.
The commoners applauded first.
Then more students joined in.
Soon...
The entire hall echoed with applause.
Headmaster Orion watched silently.
Then a small smile crossed his face.
"Interesting..."
"An Apex student who wins hearts with laughter instead of pride."