Chapter 30: Simulation Exam (1)
The morning air in the Royal Academy's Simulation Hall still felt chilly, even with the soft sunlight starting to creep in through the tall arched windows. Dew hung on the glass outside, making the light break into little sparkles that danced across the smooth marble floors. The hall looked huge—high ceilings that made voices bounce soft, walls with old banners from the empire's past fights hanging straight but faded, like they'd seen better days. The big crystalline dome overhead shimmered faint, its mana barrier throwing ripples of blue and gold light over everything, turning faces and uniforms into a mix of colors that felt almost magical but too bright for eyes still sleepy.
The students from Class A stood grouped on the marble floor, lined up by their teams, waiting for their number to get called. Some shifted on their feet, bags slung over shoulders or dropped at their sides, looking nervous with that "what if we mess up" look—hands fidgeting with straps, quick glances at friends. Others stood taller, trying to act cool, but you could see the sweat on their palms or the way they bit their lips. The air hummed low with mana from the dome, that steady buzz you feel in your chest like standing near a big engine, and the faint smell of stone and old magic hung around, clean but heavy.
Lucian Azrael Von Blackstar stood quiet near the back with his group—Celestia Silveria Van Lumina, her silver hair almost glowing under the mana light like it caught every bit of shine, and Christopher Davenson, the big guy son of a royal commander, arms crossed loose like he was bored already. While most teams talked low—nerves making them stick close, whispering "You got the plan?" or "Stay by me, okay?"—Lucian just leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, eyes half-shut and face calm as a still pond. His ashen-white hair moved a little in the soft mana breeze coming off the dome, and his deep black eyes scanned the room slow, taking in the kids without really seeing them.
'The Simulation Grounds,' he thought quiet, that old feeling settling in his gut like a stone he couldn't shake. 'Even in my second life, this place always gave me a strange feeling of déjà vu. Haah… this time, at least, I know what's coming.'
Next to him, Christopher groaned low, rolling his shoulders like they ached already. "Dammit, I hate teaming up," he said, voice grumbly but not mad, just annoyed like when you have to share your favorite tool. "And of all days, why the hell do they have to mess with my workout routine this early in the morning? I could've been doing pull-ups instead of standing here."
Lucian smirked a little, the corner of his mouth lifting just enough. "You can treat this as cardio."
Christopher shot him a flat look, one eyebrow up like "really?" "Yeah, yeah, easy for you to say, Captain Obvious." Then his face softened a bit, turning teasing as he glanced at Celestia a few steps off, humming soft to herself while fiddling with her bag strap. "But seriously, Lucian—why me? Out of all the people you could've teamed up with, you drag me into this mess. I mean, you're with the princess now—shouldn't you be all fancy and stuff?"
Lucian gave a short laugh, low and real, his gaze still up front where the professors were checking lists. "Because you're strong, disciplined, and I needed someone who won't die in the first five minutes. No offense to the fancy types, but they trip over their own capes half the time."
Christopher sighed big, rubbing his temple with one hand like it hurt. "Tch, great. I feel like a third wheel already. You, the princess, and me—the poor background extra who just wants to lift weights in peace and not deal with royal drama."
Lucian's smirk got a touch wider, but before he could say something back, Christopher leaned in closer, dropping his voice so only Lucian caught it, eyes flicking quick to Celestia to make sure she wasn't listening.
"By the way," he muttered, glancing toward her again, "I thought the princess hated you. Didn't she annul your engagement a few months ago? What the hell happened? You two suddenly reconcile or something? Spill it, man—this is the kind of gossip that keeps a guy up at night."
Lucian blinked once, his face staying calm as a blank page. "Yeah, something like that," he said casual, like talking about the weather. "But don't worry about being a third wheel. Tell you what—" He leaned in a bit too, voice dropping low. "After the exam, I'll help you out with courting Marice Weldenbud."
Christopher froze up like he'd been hit with ice water, eyes going wide as saucers, nearly choking on nothing. "Wha— you bastard!"
Before Lucian could even finish the sentence, Christopher's hand flew up fast, slapping over Lucian's mouth in full panic mode. "Shh! Shh! Don't say her name so loud!" he hissed through his teeth, eyes darting wild to the platform up front where Professor Clarice Weldenbud—the deputy head instructor and Marice's big sister—was standing with her clipboard, checking teams and looking ready to chew nails. Chris leaned in even closer, his whisper coming out desperate and fast. "If that sister-con hears that I'm courting her baby sister, she'll kill me! You trying to get me expelled or murdered, Lucian?!"
Lucian's black eyes blinked slow, face totally deadpan like this was the most normal thing. "…Relax," he said calm, prying Chris's hand off gentle but firm. "I won't mention it. Consider my lips sealed."
Christopher let out a shaky breath, looking like he'd just dodged a spell gone wrong, hand still hovering like he might cover Lucian's mouth again. "Good… good. Because I swear, that woman's scarier than a whole army of mana beasts. One wrong word, and I'm done."
Lucian smirked again, small but there. "Then it's settled. I'll help you later. Call it a promise."
Christopher paused, staring at him like he was weighing if it was worth the risk, then let out a chuckle, bumping Lucian's shoulder with his fist—solid, like sealing it. "Yeah… thanks, man. I owe you one. Big time."
Before their little talk could keep going, a soft but sharp voice cut in from the side.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Both of them froze solid.
Celestia stood right next to them now, her white silk hair shining under the mana dome's light like it was part of the glow, her eyes narrowed a touch with that look like she knew something was up. Her tone stayed calm, but there was a cool edge to it, like the air got a few degrees colder—the kind only someone close would pick up on.
Lucian felt a small drop of sweat slide down his neck, cool against the warm air, while Christopher looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole—eyes darting, face going red.
But Lucian played it smooth, like it was no thing. "Nothing, Silvie," he said soft, face not changing a bit. "Just guy talk. You know how it is."
Celestia tipped her head a little, her gaze bouncing between the two of them quick, like she was reading a book with hidden pages. "Hmm. Are you sure?"
Lucian gave her a small smile, the kind that's reassuring without trying too hard. "Positive. Anyway, we should go—it seems we're being called to the Simulation Grounds."
Right on cue, Professor Clarice's voice rang out strong across the hall, no room for messing around.
"Team Thirty-Two—Princess Celestia Van Lumina, Christopher Davenson, Lucian Von Blackstar. Proceed to the Simulation Grounds immediately."
Lucian nodded toward the gate up front, where the glowing circle waited. "See? Let's go."
Celestia blinked once, then nodded soft, that small smile coming back. "Alright, Lucian."
As the three started walking toward the glowing teleportation circle—Chris hanging back a step like he was still recovering from the close call—Christopher whispered low under his breath, just for Lucian, "You weren't kidding, man. She really gets scary when she's jealous."
Lucian gave a quiet sigh, his inner thoughts full of that tired eye-roll feel.
'Damnit… even when I talk to another guy, Silvie gets jealous. Just like Vennie in my past life.'
He rubbed his temple light, picturing another face quick—long ashen white hair, eyes soft like they could fix anything, a gentle smile that made the world feel smaller and safer.
'Seoryeon… you were never this crazy. Haah, fuck. I really miss you.'
As the magic circle under their feet started to glow bright—blue light rising slow like water filling a glass—the three got wrapped in it, the air humming louder, pulling them in.
Lucian's last thought before the teleportation finished was a quiet ask, thrown out to whoever might listen:
'Please, Seoryeon… save me from this obsessive princess before I lose what's left of my sanity.'
And with that, the three blinked out into the simulation field—where the first test of teamwork, trust, and all the messy stuff in between was waiting to start.