One full day had passed since their arrival at the Royal Academy.
The sun slowly rose over the massive stone buildings, accompanied by the morning songs of birds. In his room, Alex—who had been sleeping peacefully—suddenly snapped his eyes open and shouted:
"Damn it… this sucks."
All across the wing reserved for new students, alarms rang in unison. Ella and Melty were immediately taken in charge by servants for their morning routines, while Alex and Karden prepared in their own way.
Before long, everyone appeared in their uniforms or preferred outfits. As expected, Karden was fully strapped into his armor, his scythe within reach. Alex wore a white shirt beneath a black leather jacket, dark trousers, and chocolate-colored shoes. Ella was dressed in the academy's regulation black skirt and shirt, topped with her white mage robe. Melty, for her part, displayed a strict elegance with gray pants and a purple jacket.
While Ella and Melty enjoyed breakfast on their respective balconies—Karden standing guard beside the princess—Alex was already wandering through the academy, hands buried deep in his pockets.
On Ella's balcony, her maid Marie stood rigidly in front of her, head lowered in monk-like silence. The constant presence eventually irritated the young mage, who shot her a nervous glance.
"Say, Marie… don't you have something else to do? You're making me uncomfortable just standing there."
"I fail to see how this is bothersome," Marie replied without lifting her head. "I am simply doing my job."
"That's exactly what makes it so suffocating!"
Marie raised her head at last, fixing Ella with a perfectly neutral stare.
"Would you prefer this?"
Under that icy gaze, Ella felt a cold sweat run down her back.
"I think I would've preferred not having a maid at all…"
Marie let out an exaggerated sigh.
"You have no choice in the matter. Well… ah."
She corrected herself with another sigh.
"Miss Ella, you have no choice. My role is to assist you and remain available at all times. Rather than complaining, perhaps you could tell me what you plan to do. Classes haven't started yet."
Ella leaned against the railing, sighing in return.
"This whole thing really sucks…"
Her eyes drifted toward the courtyard below, where she spotted Alex strolling around, casually observing the buildings.
(Huh?)
Intrigued, she followed him with her gaze—then jumped when a voice suddenly whispered right next to her ear.
"What are you staring at so intently?"
She spun around. Marie was right there, leaning over her shoulder and looking in the same direction.
"Marie!" Ella cried. "Stop sneaking up on me like that!"
"Noted," the maid replied, still watching Alex. "Oh, I see… So that's the boy you were devouring with your eyes. Tell me—do you like him?"
"You're completely off the mark! It's just that he looks like he's up to no good."
"If you say so…"
"Seriously, Marie. Just suggest something to kill time."
"I can do that."
Meanwhile, Melty sipped her tea with noble composure. Karden stood motionless beside her, while her own maid waited several steps away.
(So this is my life at the academy?) Melty thought. (It's mind-numbingly boring. I should've followed my sister and chosen a short course in sacred magic. But no—no talent for that. This really sucks.)
She glanced sideways at the knight.
"Hey, Karden. Where's your partner?"
"If you mean Alex, I don't know," he replied without moving an inch. "And to be honest, I have no desire to waste my energy trying to keep track of him."
Melty set her cup down and gestured for her maid to clear the table.
"You're right. That boy is a mystery. I bet he'll spend his entire time figuring out how not to work."
She wasn't wrong.
Elsewhere, Alex was thinking exactly the same thing.
(I'm finally far from the kingdom. I'll do everything I can to do absolutely nothing—and focus on a plan to escape this place.)
His steps carried him in front of a tall tower bearing a sign:
"Library."
(A library? Why not. Perfect place to hide.)
Inside, he was greeted by a heavy, oppressive silence. At the reception desk, a small girl was asleep with her head resting on the counter. Alex looked around, baffled.
(She's the librarian? She's tiny… and she's sleeping on the job. What am I supposed to do here?)
He was about to turn back when a voice called out behind him.
"Alex?!"
Startled, he turned around to see Ella—followed closely by Marie.
"Ella? What are you doing here?"
"I came to get some books to keep myself busy," she replied as she approached. "But the real question is—what are you doing here? I've never seen you open a book."
"Let's not exaggerate. I love libraries," he lied shamelessly.
Ella walked past him and stopped in front of the sleeping receptionist.
"Yeah, right… I bet you were plotting something stupid again."
She leaned down and whispered into the girl's ear.
"Hey, Van! Wake up before Lady Lurecia comes by!"
The girl jolted awake, nearly falling off her chair.
"Wah! She's not here—oh! Who warned me?!"
She blinked, spotted Marie, then her gaze landed on the figure beside her. Her eyes widened with excitement.
"Ella!!! Is that really you?! Ella! The coolest person in the world!"
She climbed onto the desk to get a better look, overflowing with energy.
"How long have you been here? You know I owe you everything, I—"
"No need to make a scene, Van!" Ella interrupted, embarrassed.
Alex watched the exchange with an amused smirk.
(Looks like Ella's a real celebrity here. Guess I'll leave them to it.)
He turned around and walked away, hands still in his pockets. Marie watched him go, thoughtful.
(So this is the specimen that caught Lady Ella's interest… Strange, but not uninteresting.)
Alex continued exploring until he climbed onto the roof of a central building. He sat on the tiles, enjoying a panoramic view of the academy grounds.
(Peace at last. That's one hell of a view. Damn… the first day isn't even over and I'm already bored out of my mind. Like I said—this whole thing really sucks.)
Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to the main gate.
A long procession of carriages and wagons entered the academy grounds. The official start of the term had begun. New students were arriving by the dozens.
For reasons even he didn't quite understand, a smile crept onto Alex's lips.
END OF THE CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: Royal Academy – Act I: The First Day