'This guy is still here?' Xian's complexion visibly darkened, seeing Adrian made his initially easy mood sour. Now that he's seeing him in a morning lit room, his glaring feauture of a 'protagonist' was even more apparent. There wasn't a trace of bruises in his smooth skin and, looking closely, he even had a slight blush.
Xian was utterly tired of seeing his face during scenes and everytime he opens the status window, wishing he could at least customize character appearance. Though he liked his current appearance more, unfortunately, Carmillia didn't.
'I guess the protagonist wont disappear that easily.' He clicked his tongue. Adrian was too busy to hear it, but Carmillia's eyes were sideways, staring at Xian.
"Do you remember me, my lady? W-we met by chance in the labyrinth and… Ah! We got attacked by another entrant!" The protagonist stuttered in an effort to speak. Xian thought he was watching a kid introduce in front of the calss.
"I remember." Carmillia answered, smiling faintly, "What business do you have with me?" She responded with a surprisingly amicable tone, not angered at the fact that Adrian's loudmouth had turned her into the center of attention and murmurs. Her face now carried a soft expression but in her eyes, there was an amusement to what shes witnessing.
"Ah, it's just, can we walk together to class?"
"Walk… together?" Carmillia tilted her head at the simple request of the protagonist.
"Yes. Can't we?"
Carmillia paused just long enough until Adrian seemed anxious as she sneaked a glacne to Xian. "I permit it."
Xian watched with a calm gaze as the two agreed without so much as his involvement, after all, he was just a butler. But the protagonist seemed to be unaware of the underlying meaning of the actions he took, nor how others would see it.
The surrounding murmurs resumed as Carmillia walked past, Adrian hurrying after her. Xian could hear the whispers through the hall as it took a different direction.
'Maybe she's not as bad as they say…'
'There's no way she really did those rumors, right?'
'She accepted him just like that?'
To others, it seemed like Carmillia permitted an unknown commoner to walk beside her despite his lacking etiquette. In this academy, Adrian's request signified involvement and Carmillia's permission meant acceptance to her faction.
The pair of mistress and butler now walked side by side. Adrian who saw the widening distance between him and the lady, so in an attempt to draw closer and start a conversation, he quickened his steps to match her pace. Only for a large figure to slide in and hit his face.
Looking up, the first thing he saw was a shade of blood-red hair and the similarly stern expression worn by the professors who talked to him yesterday.
Xian had put himself between Adrian and Carmillia, not even sparing a glance on the protagonist. He kept walking with coldness on his face.
Earlier, as if in a trance, the protagonist had completely ignored him and did not even notice him. Xian doesn't mind being overlooked, but what was strange was the protagonist's bashful behavior toward Carmillia.
Adrian, confused, stared at him indignantly, as if his eyes were asking, 'What are you doing?'. Xian did his best to put on the most intimidating glare he could muster. Surprisingly, it was quite effective, as he saw the protagonist's flinch his shoulders.
Adrian made several more attempts, but Xian made sure to cut him off every time. The normally amicable and kind protagonist was now gritting his teeth, eyes filled with frustration.
Xian thought the protagonists reaction was interesting since in the game, the players dialogue's are the voice of reason in many scenarios. But this protagonist seemed unable to control his emotion.
"Well, then, this is where we part ways." Carmillia, who had been silent the entire time, turned to Adrian. The room for the Elite class took a different fork in the hallways with the Royal class in the opposite. But they were positioned in a way that both classes would inevitably meet.
They parted ways in a atrium full with stained-glass windows where sunlight seeped through from above, as if it were an arena prepared for the two sections to face off. Likely, it was an insidious placement devised by the eccentric headmaster of the academy.
Adrian, who was about to respond, was shooed away by Xian, pointing in the other direction. He made a light tap in the protagonists chest, making him sway back slightly.
"Your class is that way." Xian followed after Carmillia and left Adrian alone.
The protagonists mouth opened and closed several times, but Xian didn't even pause to hear whatever he wanted to say.
In the end, apart from a few lines, Adrian couldn't talk to Carmillia at all and turned away with a bitter taste in his mouth.
"What's up with that guy?" Of course, he hadn't forgotten Xian, who hindered him at every opportunity to converse with Lady Montagne, the girl who had caught his eye at first sight.
"Next time, definitely…" Adrian murmured, heading toward his class, the Silver Boughs.
…
True to its name, the classroom for the Royal Class were wide enough for one to wonder whether it was meant for auctions. Natural light seeped through the high windows and the students' seats were lined covered with expensive cotton filled leather. The room truly signified the status of those inside.
Each row of seats rose a step higher, half surrounding the lecturer's platform. The entry and exit were each at the side of the room, making it so that anyone who left and entered were seen.
Inside, some students were already acquainting themselves with one another, some speaking in pairs and others gathering in small groups.
The scene almost resembled a masquerade, had the students been dressed for such an occasion instead of their uniforms. Even so, the white and blue gold lined combination of the uniforms were a sight to behold, exuding a noble and clean impression from the students.
Each steps taken inside barely made a sound on the carpeted floor and whispers were like inaudible hushes. The academy's students ranged from those just coming of age to those already two years past it and nothing more.
In this regard, Fahna was someone who had just come of age last year, the majority of ages among entrants and already, because of that, she was having 'that kind' of trouble.
Something every sought-after noble lady has to go through.
"My lady, I've long heard and admired the feats of your prestigious family, ." An entrant, likely a heir and born eldest said. His gaze lingered far too long on her chest as he bowed while a faint, sticky smile played on his lips.
"But it seems your beauty surpasses even your family's renown.". He leaned closer to the lady, almost making her lean back, "May I invite you to tea after class? It would be my pleasure to hear the tales of the Sword Saint, directly with your beautiful voice."
But before Fahna could turn him down, a deep and impatient voice cut in.
"Bah, enough of your useless banter." A rather brash-looking one chided as he put himself forward, pushing the other with his broad body, "Don't you see? She's a warrior who hailed from the sword saint's clan! I'm sure, she'd rather exchange moves with me, someone with similar upbring. What do you think, Lady Fahna?" He spoke, smiling at her with a determined expression.
A heavy thud and interrupted them both. Several finely wrapped boxes were placed between them and Fahna's desk, with recognizable weight in it.
"Please accept these gifts as a gesture of making my acquaintance." A third young man with peculiar hair adjusted his glasses as he regarded Fahna with a measured glance. "Consider it a gesture of good will." He glanced at the two other 'suitors' with a telling gaze and spoke.
"With your clan's reputation and my household's resources, a union between us would be… mutually beneficial. Do you have time for to talk later?"
"Tch!"
"Hah?—"
The two nobles exclaimed in surprise at the third man's blunt declaration.
Fahna's perfect smile nearly cracked, with annoyance threatening to break her composure. Opportunities and offers of the like were nothing new, but this is the first time she's dealing with suitors outside of her tightly shut clan.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in finding a partner yet." Finding a suitably powerful partner in the academy would be any noble girl's goal before graduation, but for her who's a descendant of the sword saint?
'No way.' She's aware of the reputation her clan holds and the dignity that comes with it. Her clan had always insisted on seclusion and limited interaction, avoiding political alliances and dealings with most families whenever possible.
But she though differently.
She wanted to open the doors of her clan to the world, to show there is more to achieve upon taking that one step beyond their seclusion.
And for that reason, she couldn't allow herself to be sold as a marriage tool to some noble. Nor can she afford to be distracted with things like 'romance'.
To do that, however, she will need to gather allies from the outside, and that's why this academy mattered. Surely among all these sea of people and peers, she's bound to gather friends who can help her along the way.
'I already have people in mind too.'
As if finding this rejection absurd, the peculiar haired entrant tapped on the table and spoke, "Are you certain, Lady Fahna? Opportunities like this is hard to come by, especially for your clan…"
'Ugh, this guy…' Fahna read the intentions behind the mans eyes. Just when she got pissed at the mention of her household's situation, the grandiose door of the room creaked as it opened.
All heads turned to see who the new arrivals were, whether it's a professor or another student.
Then, an almost deafening silence filled the surroundings as Xian stepped inside. His strangely hostile appearance even with resting expression made anyone who met his eyes turn their gaze away.
Behind him, Carmillia trailed behind, tightening the atmosphere further and putting everyone on edge. Those present, either had anxious or admiring gaze directed at the so called 'Guillotine Flower' of House Montagne. A young lady infamous for purging many of her subordinate's through ruthless execution as if mimicking her fathers actions.
Her appearance heralded the arrival of one of the most controversial and dangerous figure to associate with in this generation, coming from a ducal house that had faithfully served the previous king's regime, yet somehow retained its influence even after his fall.
Carmillia glanced around the room as well, though her gaze lingered on only a few individuals, before turning away as if she lost interest.
'Hmph, she's that petty girl. But she does have some appearance and skill.' Fahna thought inwardly as she observed Carmillia. The girl didn't even recognize her.
'As for that guy, is he her butler? Hmm…' Faintly grinning, Fahna observed Xian. 'This is unheard of, a servant in the royal class? A first seat no less? Fufu.'
…
Xian waited for her to enter before closing the doors. Although her arrival caused a stir, the other students soon resumed their conversation.
After all, this room was filled with young nobles of equally formidable backgrounds and abilities, not even Carmillia can be unruly without consequences. Unless, those consequences didn't matter to her at all.
Xian thought this was likely why she remained elusive at the start of the game, appearing only as a character accompanied by two swordmaidens when outside the academy, a presence that drew the players' interest. That was why her sudden descent into villainy, while anticipated, still caught many players off guard.
And to Xian's dismay, he learned the hard way that there weren't just heroines for the protagonist to snatch in this game. It wouldn't be a Souls counterpart of dating sim academy otherwise if there weren't any competition.
Carmillia walked towards the furthest and highest seat in the room, and as they passed an unassuming student reclining with a book covering his face, Xian heard an amused voice.
"Looks like this will be a tumultuous generation for the academy."
He wasn't unfamiliar with whose voice it belonged to, and his fists slightly tightened, remembering the runs he lost to this bastard, A character always seated to this particular spot everytime he started the game.
Its either he makes a snide remark about the protagonists background, or utter exactly the same phrase that came out of his mouth right now.
"Wouldn't you agree, lady Montagne?" He removed the book, revealing turquoise eyes with a calm, steady gaze. Although he addressed Carmillia, his eyes were locked onto Xian.
'Rhykard Oregon, one of the more successful villains in the game, who stayed alive until the post-graduation arcs.'
Carmillia only gave the man a silent glare and decided to ignore him.
Rhykard Oregon was a rival character for Fahna's route. A noble who coveted her clans heroic prestige throughout the continent. Given enough time, even the stubborn sword clan eventually found itself in a predicament caused by this man, and ended up accepting his outstretched hand.
Rhykard's gaze lingered on Xian for a moment longer before he spoke again, "So the rumors were true," he straightened up in his seat and said, "You actually went through the trouble of enrolling a butler of yours into the academy."
His eyes turned to Carmillia, "And not just in any section, but the Royal class no less. How bold of the duke's daughter."
Carmillia didn't slowed her step, "Spit out what you wanna say."
Rhykard chuckled, "Sponsoring a butler as a student in the highest status of the academy is a blatant misuse of privilege. Even for household Montagne. Wouldn't you agree, everyone?" He tilted his head, looking back at the gazes directed at them. Despite Carmillia's reputation, there was more than one student here opposed to her.
Each on their own, they couldn't possibly hold a candle to her family, but with Rhykard's and their unity, even Carmillia would be hard-pressed to deal with them.
"Or are we pretending the academy suddenly accepts servants on payments alone?" It was a provocative slander to the academy, but no one dissuaded Rhykard. Almost all noble households here knew of the headmaster's love for money and the bottomless pit that is the academy.
Seeing Carmillia's silence, he provoked further, "A novelty then? A pet project? Or could it be… for your own indulgence?"
Carmillia stopped. She turned her head just enough for him to see a sneer.
"He placed first. Is there anything else you wanna say?"
Rhykard's smile froze as his gaze observed Xian once again.
"What?" He repeated with an incredulous look.
"First among the entrants, above heirs and prodigious prospects alike. And even you, Rhykard." Carmillia said simply without a change in her tone and indifferent expression.
"Watch your words. After all, this servant of mine, will be our leader from this day onwards." The words came out clearly for everyone to hear. "You'll have to grit your teeth and listen to my butler, Raki."
At the mention of his nickname, veins bulged in in head "Hah, I'll be damned. Still, he only partially deserves to be here at all." He turned and looked ahead from his seat, as if to end the conversation there, "This academy has become far more unhinged than I thought."
"If you have a problem with it, go tell the headmaster." Carmillia replied with a sneer. "Though I doubt it will change anything."
"From now on, everyone has to listen well to my butler. I look forward being in this class with you all." Murmurs spread immediately among the students. Everyone in the Royal class has a pride and talent of their own, and choosing a representative was always a contentious matter.
But there was one undeniable fact of basis when choosing one. The representative and leader has to be the first seat in the entrance exam.
Watching all of this, Xian finally realized the matter Carmillia was referring to last night. In the game, all of this never happened, was skipped and Fahna took the position without any trouble.
He met eyes with Carmillia that seemed to communicate words with him.
'You'll keep your promise, won't you?'