-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Han Cheon-seong. You're C1?"
"Yeah. C1 class."
He answered, trying hard to feign nonchalance.
Someone else was in A1 class, like the novel's protagonist. He, on the other hand, was in C1.
In a way, C1 class could be seen as somewhere between mid-tier and low-tier. However, the truth was, there was a world of difference between A class and C class.
Having read the entire novel, he felt that difference even more acutely.
"So B class was tough after all, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess since I'm a Common grade. B class seemed too hard."
He answered calmly, yet he wasn't as angry as he thought he'd be.
Even now, within his sight, people were stubbornly pushing each other, trying to check the names on the bulletin board.
"Move it!"
"Please! Just let me check quickly!"
"Seriously, get out of the way! Do you think I have all day?!"
"...Is my name really not even in D class?"
Harsh words exchanged hands as they frantically searched for their names on the list of successful applicants.
Watching them from a step away like this, his mind settled into a calm state.
The majority of the people he saw were those who wouldn't even make it into D class, let alone C class. In short, they were the Academy's 'failed applicants.'
At least he was much better off compared to them. Once he resigned himself to that fact, accepting reality became surprisingly easy.
'Right. I'm a Common.'
Wishing for B class was greedy to begin with.
Even if Kali had evaluated him favorably, it seemed more accurate to say he was dreaming beyond his station.
"Still, Han Cheon-seong. If you're C1, can't you get to B class quickly?"
A hollow laugh escaped him blankly at the voice from beside him.
"Quickly...?"
"Yeah. Quickly. It's only one step, isn't it?"
When their eyes met, she spoke as if it were an easy feat. For a moment, he couldn't think of anything to say.
Glecia was in A class. And not just any A class, but 'A1,' an extremely high class, so it seemed she viewed B class as easy. From her perspective... she wasn't wrong.
The problem was, for him, it wasn't easy at all...
He swallowed inwardly and nodded.
"Right. I'll have to try my best."
Because of what he'd said yesterday, he couldn't appear dejected or lacking in confidence.
Glecia was interested in his confident and dignified demeanor. So, in front of her, he had to maintain a confident appearance at all times.
Even as he thought that, he found himself looking at Glecia beside him again.
"..."
Glecia, whose blue hair fluttered in the light breeze, was quite beautiful, he realized anew. Seeing her up close like this, he was reminded again of how pretty she was, yet he also thought her personality was quite eccentric.
This woman was now in A class. And not just that, she'd passed with an incredibly high score for A1, yet she was genuinely showing interest in him.
She had directly called him first, even asking where he'd been accepted. It was something that wouldn't normally happen.
Her words about spending time with him now felt so trustworthy that he was certain.
Even as he looked at her, a corner of his mind felt a slight pang.
'If she's in A1 class, she's definitely going to get involved with Leonhardt.'
As far as he knew, the protagonist of this novel was Leonhardt. Now that Glecia was in the same class as him, she would likely become entangled with him to the point where one could say 'it's inevitable.'
'Then...'
He could offer advice or some kind of help. Because he knew all the accidents and incidents that would happen in the future.
Of course, Glecia being assigned to A1 was unexpected, but he thought the general framework wouldn't change.
Then he could help Glecia, albeit indirectly. Not with strength, but with knowledge.
Organizing his thoughts, he subtly opened his mouth.
"So, Glecia. Have you thought about how often we'll meet at the Academy?"
When they'd spoken yesterday, they'd finished by agreeing to spend time together.
They had made quite detailed arrangements for when they would meet once they entered the Academy. Since it would be a bit difficult for them to find each other's classes, they had entrusted Glecia with deciding when they would meet, and she was to give him the answer today.
"Yes. I've decided."
As she met his gaze and replied, he felt a little curious.
"How often are we going to meet?"
Even as he asked, he thought once a week might be appropriate. A class received special attention compared to lower classes, so they would have more classes and assignments.
He was even wondering if it might be twice a month, not even once a week, when...
"Three times a week."
Glecia gave an answer that completely exceeded his expectations.
"...You want to meet three times a week?"
"Yeah. I heard A class has quite a lot of classes and assignments. So I think that much would be appropriate."
Even though she seemed to know something about A class, Glecia told him so calmly. To meet three times a week. And when he saw no mischievousness in her eyes, he was rather surprised.
'Does she want to understand me that much?'
Even as he thought that, he found himself nodding.
If Glecia was the one to suggest meeting often, he welcomed it. Since she was in the same class as Leonhardt, there would be more opportunities for him to help. And because of that, he would definitely gain some benefits.
'There's still hope.'
The hope named Glecia.
But that thought was momentary.
"...Wait. Glecia. Let's make it twice a week."
He immediately changed his mind.
If he agreed to everything Glecia said, he might seem like a 'yes-man.' Considering both their positions, he needed to push back a little.
"...Why?"
"Why, you ask...?"
"Meeting three times, Han Cheon-seong. Isn't that better for you too?"
She asked as if meeting three times was obviously better, and at Glecia's demeanor, he instinctively looked around.
"...Ahem."
"Hm."
When his gaze met theirs, people immediately looked away. As expected, there were a few people watching him with envious eyes.
That made him even more dumbfounded.
'Anyone watching would think we're a couple having a conversation.'
The suggestion of meeting often subtly gave off that impression.
He cleared his throat for a moment and continued.
"Glecia, I have my own classes, and I also need to train my trait separately. Of course, compared to you, being in A class, I might have more free time. But I'm a Common, right? So I need to work that much harder."
When he answered, mixing in about 80% truth, Glecia looked at him with dissatisfaction, then reluctantly nodded.
"...That's true. Right. You are a Common."
Even though he had said he was a Common, Glecia saying it back made him feel quite strange.
...A nagging feeling.
"So, we'll meet twice a week?"
"Yes. Got it, twice. The days are Tuesday and Sunday. 6 PM in front of the dorm. Don't forget, Han Cheon-seong."
"Tuesday and Sunday. 6 PM in front of the dorm. Got it, I'll remember that."
As he replied, he thought Glecia had really considered every detail.
'That's reasonable.'
6 PM was after classes ended, so there seemed to be no issue.
After chatting with her for a while, realizing there was no longer a reason to stay there, he and Glecia naturally headed to yesterday's cafe.
The surrounding gazes were subtly annoying... And some of the looks, clearly disapproving, struck him as ridiculous.
'Anyway, when you're with a pretty girl...'
You're bound to attract a lot of attention. That was one of the unchanging truths, even if the world he lived in had transformed from reality into a novel.
***
Time quickly passed, and soon it was the day of the entrance ceremony.
—Grand Royal Academy Entrance Ceremony.
Among the numerous events held at Groia, as it was commonly known, the entrance ceremony was considered one of the most important.
After all, it was no exaggeration to say that from the imperial family to high-ranking nobles belonging to ducal and marquis families, and countless other children of nobility, all enrolled in this Grand Royal Academy.
As it was an occasion attended by prominent figures accompanying their enrolling children, the Grand Royal Academy had to ensure the entrance ceremony was as splendid and grand as possible, showcasing the Academy's prestige.
Most importantly, they couldn't afford to give the impression that an academy attended by imperial family members was insignificant.
....
"Seeing it in person... it feels very different."
As Cheon-seong entered the Grand Royal Academy's main auditorium, a gasp of admiration escaped him.
In real-world terms, it was vast enough to be called a dome stadium, and he was once again struck by the Academy's unbelievable scale and grandeur.
*Rustle.*
He idly adjusted his clothes, examining his attire.
The student uniform had an unusual design, a mix of blue and black.
Though he was entering the Academy for the first time in the C class uniform he'd been issued, he wondered why even the entrance ceremony was so extravagant.
*Thump. Thump.*
As he made his way through the massive crowd, searching for his seat, his gaze wandered.
People in clearly extravagant attire, presumably high-ranking nobles, caught his eye, and most notably, when he saw the gold-clad knights guarding the imperial family, his gaze instinctively turned.
'Come to think of it, even the Imperial Prince and Princess are at the entrance ceremony.'
Those who would normally be in S-class, a space he couldn't even approach, were now in the same area as him.
There, he saw two adults, a man and a woman, escorted by sharp-looking, gold-armored knights. They appeared to be siblings, and most notably, both had striking golden hair.
'Is their appearance also due to their lineage?'
He felt a definitive sense of nobility from them, even more so than described in the novel... Their looks were truly awe-inspiring.
The blond man with a sharp, strong impression was named 'Dersen Luabella,' and the blond woman with a delicate, gentle impression was named 'Rachel Luabella.'
As they were somewhat important characters, he watched them carefully... until he had to turn his head away.
'What a gaze...'
One of the Imperial Knights glared fiercely, and for a moment, a chill ran down his entire body, making him unable to look any longer.
As he found his designated seat, he saw a chair with a placard marked 'C1.'
'C class.'
Though it was truly disappointing not to be in B class, he consoled himself with the thought that at least he was C1, the top of the C-tier, and just as he settled into the empty seat,
"You. Why are you sitting next to me?"
A sharp, testy voice came from right beside him.