CHAPTER 37: BRAND NEW WORLD

A few days pass, and I finally arrive in the Academy City with no problems at all.

This time, I don’t settle for just any inn.

I pass by the one my uncle settled for the last time and choose a fancier place this time. It is a prestigious in in a pristine location. The view is also exquisite, and I bask in the luxury of it during my stay in the City.

Since I arrived earlier than scheduled, I also decided to take a good tour of the city and study as much as I can about it. I also visit all the places of business that I went with my uncle the last time, giving them gifts and exchanging pleasantries.

I intend to continue fostering this connection with them and build a solid reputation.

This is very important.

I don’t rush in fully understanding the city, instead choosing to take my time with the exploration. After all, I will have five years to get familiar with this place.

What’s the hurry?

The Academy eventually opens up, and I enter its walls as one of the first students to do so. I am granted access the moment I show all my appropriate documents, and while it’s a bit tricky at first, I find my way to the dormitory.

Unlike during the time of exams, there wasn’t a guide to help with directions this time.

Still, with signs planted in key locations, the Academy has ensured that most people won’t get lost exploring its grounds.

The Royal Academy is divided into three segments: Outer Court, Middle Court, and Inner Court.

The General Hall, where I took my exams, exists in the Outer Court.

As for my dormitory, it is in the Middle Court.

Based on what I understand, the Inner Court is where we’ll be having our classes.

On my way to my dormitories, I also saw three signs that led to different areas—Bronze Wing (West), Silver Wing (South), and Gold Wing (East). I belong to the Silver Wing dormitory, so I head there, but I know that these categories aren’t arbitrary.

The Bronze Wing is occupied by the students from the Low Nobility, the Clergy, and the Knight Households. Meanwhile, the Silver Wing is occupied by the members of High Nobility who aren’t so high up the ranks. Students who receive a scholarship, like me, are also admitted there.

As for the Gold Wing... it is exclusively reserved for Royals and only the most prestigious members of High Nobility—like Duke and Count Households.

Being someone in the Silver Wing, I am like a fish out of water. My Scholarship is the only reason I would ever be allowed into such a place. I suspect that the reaction of my neighbors won’t be too great once I reveal my low status.

But... I do not care.

This is a great opportunity for me, so why should I waste it?

The Staff Quarters also exist in the North, but since I have no business there, I don’t bother thinking too much about it.

After completing my paperwork and moving into my dormitory, I quickly realize that I am one of the first few to have arrived. When checking in, I only saw like three names above mine.

Was I too excited? Did I hurry too much?

I shrug and decide not to think too deeply about the matter.

The school doesn’t fully resume until a week anyway, so there is a lot of time on my hands. I already know I’ll spend most of my time reading anyway, so this doesn’t bother me at all.

As for the dorm itself... I am satisfied with it.

The facilities are excellent, and the design is superb. Even my room is in pristine condition, as should be expected from such a prestigious institution. Even though my space is a mini-flat—having a single room, a bathroom, a closet, and a small kitchen—it is very spacious.

I have no complaints at all.

My uncle also lived in the Silver Wing during his early years in the Academy, so I already had an idea of its structure. However, it seems things have only gotten better since he left. I wonder if this means the same for the Bronze Wing.

From what he told me, students shared rooms in that Wing, from two to as many as six in a room. It all depended on something called Prestige Points, though I suppose that doesn’t count for those living in the Silver Wing and above.

I spend some time unpacking, and afterward I take a quick shower to freshen up.

Once I am done with all of these, I finally relax on my bed and stare at the ceiling with a silent smile etched on my calm face.

"I’m really here..."

My voice is a small whisper that travels across the vast room.

Amazing!

I intend to write a letter to my family later, but for now, I simply stay still and go over everything.

It’s all still so surreal to me.

To think I regressed to the past, fought against the resolution of my family, and made it this far.

Doesn’t it sound like a dream? But no.

This is reality.

My reality.

’The fact that I could change so much, and I have made it this far, only proves that it is possible to do even more...’ My thoughts trail, and I clench my fist with resolve.

More than ever, I am determined to live my life the way I desire this time around.

I won’t let anything stop me!

’But this won’t be easy...’ I sigh to myself. ’Compared to the Aditi Household, my life here will be a lot more uncomfortable, challenging, and undeniably difficult.’

I have no background in academics, and I have no extensive knowledge of the Academy. The little I know comes from my Uncle and some likely misinformed members of the Low Nobility. As useful as their information is, I can’t fully rely on them.

Besides, even they have very limited knowledge regarding the machinations of this place.

Unlike the familiarity of the Aditi Household and my past life’s memories that helped guide most of my decisions there, I am practically walking blind now.

But this is fine too.

I will be spending five years here. Each year has three terms, and there are breaks in between them. Many students return home during this break period, but I have no intention to leave this place.

I won’t be leaving Loria during these five years.

’Naturally, this means I will miss a lot of things... like my sister’s coming-of-age ceremony, though I should be able to make it in time for my brother’s turn.’ I smile bitterly, realizing just how much of their lives I will miss out on.

But, my decision has already been made.

I will not compromise on it.

I already left Leon to watch after my siblings, but that isn’t the only countermeasure I have put in place for their sake. Uncle Damon is also going to help me keep an eye on things in the Household with the help of the new spies he helped plant in the Aditi Household.

My purge of the Minor Family’s spies created a vacuum and made it easier to insert my own subordinates into the Estate.

This way, I’ll have access to all the happenings of the family, while slowly amassing more power for myself. If my father believes he can use this time I am away to scheme against me, he has another thing coming.

I believe he will try his best not to underestimate me, but even then... he stands no chance.

He has probably already given up on fighting me, but his eyes remain on Craig and Selicia. That tells me that the fight isn’t over yet.

I won’t let him have his way with my siblings.

’I’ll be keeping in constant contact with my family through the exchange of letters, but I’ll probably have to reduce their frequency at some point. My main goal should always remain my priority...’ With a deep smile, I resolutely tell myself this.

"No matter what.. I will excel in this Academy!"

I plan to maintain my scholarship and rise up the ranks, regardless of my obstacles. This will benefit me a lot more than even I realize at the moment.

Just thinking about my past life’s knowledge alone, I have come to realize the advantage of studying. When I first regressed, there were a lot of things that I found unclear. It was only after I began studying that a lot of them became less vague.

With the increase in the information that I attain, my past life’s knowledge will become more useful.

I can use what I learn to understand the events of my past life better.

This makes it all the more certain:

I need to learn!

More!

I am very curious about so many things. The world is simply too vast, and it constantly calls me to expand my mind. I still do not know when this unquenchable thirst for knowledge began, but I can feel it slowly consuming me.

All of this is new territory for me, but I embrace it regardless.

Unlike my days in the Aditi Household or even my first time in this City, I am completely alone.

It’s scary.

For sure, I feel quite terrified.

But, at the same time... this also gives me a sense of freedom.

This is a brand new world for me, and I intend to savor it completely.

[A/N: The Royal Academy Arc begins now. I plan to make it very brief, but tell me if you are enjoying the read so far.]