Ryan comes back to his room after having dinner. He takes out his nightdress from the cupboard and wears it and then jumps over the bed because he was tired from working.
But suddenly his phone vibrated and a message appeared on screen.
[Westbridge International University – Orientation Begins Tomorrow.]
Ryan looked at the message quietly then threw the phone to the side of the bed.
This was where the story truly began where the protagonist would enter the Westbridge International College. He pretended to be poor, mocked by everyone for being a poor student who came through the scholarship.
In this university you'll be able to see friendships, rivalries and romance.
And where a forgotten side character…
Like Ryan who began changing fate itself.
Ryan closed his eyes and smiled faintly.
"Since I already know the story…"
"I'll write a better ending for myself."
Next morning.
Sun rays slipped through the curtains and filled his room with a warm glow.
Sunlight fell on his face, he slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds, he stared silently at the ceiling and remembered yesterday what happened to him.
He exhales air out softly before getting out of bed. He walked inside the bathroom.
Drops of water still slid down his slightly wet black hair after taking a shower.
Today was the day the story of the novel officially began and also a day when he started his new life in a new world.
He takes out university uniform then he changes into the university uniform—a black blazer with silver lining and the Westbridge emblem—Ryan stood in front of the mirror.
The uniform fit him perfectly; he had a tall build, a sharp jaw and steady/calm eyes.
The original Ryan already had decent looks, but his inferiority complex always made him look timid around others.
But current Ryan carried a completely different aura.
Confidence.
Calmness.
Control.
Downstairs, his mother smiled brightly the moment she saw him.
"You look handsome today."
Ryan gave a helpless smile.
"You say that every time."
"Because in my eyes you're the cutest son." she replied proudly.
George Carter sat in a chair at the breakfast table while drinking coffee from a cup and reading financial news on his tablet.
Ryan approached him and greeted George, he glanced at him briefly before nodding.
"Your driver is waiting outside for you."
Ryan paused slightly.
"Can I go alone?" he asked.
"You can," George said calmly, "but there's no need to make your first day harder."
Ryan sat down quietly for breakfast.
These everyday talks still felt strange to him.
In his old life, his mornings were quick and empty. Every day was meaningless for him.
Now, there was real warmth around the table.
His mother suddenly looked eager.
"Try to make some friends this year."
George added while his eyes on his tablet reading news.
"And stay out of fights with rich fools."
Ryan nearly laughed.
If only his dad knew Westbridge was full of exactly that type.
'George is right, with my current ability and connection I can't get involved in any fight with the Young Master of powerful families.'
He thought and nodded to George.
One Hour Later.
A sleek black luxury sedan pulled up to the huge gates of Westbridge International University.
Ryan slowly stepped out of the car.
The moment he saw the campus clearly, he even felt slightly stunned.
Towering modern buildings spread out on land like a mini city. This is the biggest university in the whole continent.
Luxury cars packed the parking lots.
Students strolled by in designer clothes, flashy watches and easy confidence.
This was no regular university. It was a gathering place for future elites.
Students who were studying here made their family worth at least 20 million. Because these are controlled by two factions: government and private(6 powerful families around the continent). So here most of the laws are made by the government but still you nurture humans.
Ryan calmly observed everything around him, while placing one hand in his pocket and walked towards the entrance of University.
Suddenly—
A loud commotion erupted near the entrance.
Several students turned their heads immediately.
A silver luxury car slowly entered the campus.
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
He recognized this scene instantly, the same as the novel at the start.
"She's here…"
The car door opened and the entire atmosphere at the entrance changed.
A young woman stepped out gracefully from the car. Long dark-brown hair flowed softly over her shoulders, snow-white like skin, elegant posture like a noble lady and cold but breathtakingly beautiful eyes.
She wore the same university uniform, yet on her, it looked almost untouchably noble.
Sophia Laurent, the second female lead of the novel.
The girl countless readers once fell in love with but her love only belongs to protagonists of the novel.
Sophia Laurent moved through them like a queen through courtiers every step, a masterpiece of grace and power.
Students nearby immediately began whispering among themselves.
"It's Sophia Laurent…"
"She's even prettier in person."
"She looks like a goddess."
"As expected of the Laurent heiress. Its latest model of G-99 car is launched this month."
Ryan quietly watched her from a distance, blending seamlessly into the swelling crowd of students. They formed a living wall of admiration—jaws slack, eyes hungry, murmurs bubbling like champagne over her ethereal beauty.
Unlike the others staring at her beauty, Ryan focused on something else that's—
Loneliness.
'Even surrounded by the attention of everyone and this much pressure, Sophia's expression remained distant and emotionless. It's like she was dealing with this kind of thing from childhood,' he thought.
Like someone separated from the world around her.
'In the original novel, very few people truly understood her feelings and cared for her most.'
'Most people approached her because of money, status or appearance. This makes her feel lonely in this crowd of students.'
'The protagonist was different… but according to the plot he only saved her then she fell in love with him.' he thought.
That was why she slowly opened her heart to him.
Ryan's gaze became thoughtful.
Right now, Sophia and the protagonist hadn't even met yet.
Which meant—
The story could still change.
At that moment, Sophia suddenly lifted her eyes slightly.
For one brief second—
Their gazes met across the crowded campus.
Ryan remained calm, there was no nervousness and no obsession on his face.
Just he quietly observing her.
Sophia seemed slightly surprised because unlike the others around him, this boy wasn't looking at her with greed or infatuation.
Before she could think further, Ryan casually looked away first and continued walking toward the main building where Orientation Begins for freshers.
Sophia silently watched his back for a moment.
Then one of her female friends approached.
"Sophia, what are you looking at?"
"…Nothing."
She answered softly before walking away.
Meanwhile, Ryan entered the campus building with calm steps.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"The story has started."