The carriage rolled to a gradual stop.
Ethan, who had been staring absentmindedly out the window, blinked and sat up straighter.
"…We're here already?"
The coachman opened the carriage door.
"Young Master, we've arrived."
A wave of noise rushed in.
Voices.
Laughter.
Horse hooves striking stone.
The clatter of luggage being unloaded.
Ethan stepped down from the carriage and immediately froze.
"…Whoa."
The Royal Academy was enormous.
Three ivory towers reached toward the sky, connected by elegant stone bridges. White marble buildings surrounded a massive courtyard filled with students wearing academy uniforms. A crystal fountain sparkled in the center, while colorful banners displaying the academy's crest fluttered in the breeze.
It looked less like a school…
And more like a palace.
"…This place is ridiculous."
[Location Confirmed: Royal Academy.]
"I can see that."
He adjusted the strap of the small satchel he'd insisted on carrying himself.
The rest of Lucien's…essentials…were already being unloaded by servants.
"So many people…"
Students walked past in small groups.
Some wore expensive jewelry and richly embroidered clothes that screamed nobility.
Others dressed much more simply.
Commoners.
Ethan remembered that unlike many noble academies, the Royal Academy accepted students based on talent, not just status.
Which was why Adrian had been able to enroll.
"…I should probably register first."
Before he could take another step—
"Lucien!"
Someone called his name.
Ethan's shoulders stiffened.
Uh-oh.
He slowly turned.
A blond-haired boy about his age hurried toward him with a bright smile. His academy uniform was perfectly neat, and his expression was so cheerful that Ethan immediately suspected trouble.
"You're actually here!" the boy said, stopping in front of him.
"I thought you'd sleep through your first day."
"…"
Ethan smiled politely.
"…Good morning?"
The blond boy laughed.
"You still look half asleep."
Ethan forced a small chuckle.
"Who are you?"
Lucien's memories suddenly stirred.
Oliver Hawthorne.
A minor noble.
Lucien's childhood friend.
"…Oliver."
"There you are." Oliver grinned. "For a second I thought you'd forgotten my name."
'Almost' Ethan thought.
"I'm just…a little tired."
Oliver nodded sympathetically.
"Understandable. My mother wouldn't stop fussing over my luggage this morning."
He leaned closer.
"I think she packed enough clothes for an entire year."
Ethan nearly laughed.
"So did mine apparently."
Instead, he nodded seriously.
"I know the feeling."
Oliver sighed dramatically.
"The burdens of nobility."
Ethan smiled a bit. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
The two of them walked through the academy gates together.
"So," Oliver asked casually, "have you decided which department you're joining?"
"Department?"
Oliver looked at him strangely.
"…Don't tell me you forgot."
Ethan's heart skipped.
Forgot…?
Lucien's memories finally caught up.
The academy was divided into four departments.
Swordsmanship.
Magic.
Knight Studies.
Scholarship.
Students specialized in one while taking general classes together.
Lucien…
"…Magic."
The answer slipped out almost automatically.
Oliver nodded.
"I figured."
"You've never liked swinging swords."
"…Right."
Lucien's memories confirmed it.
He wasn't untalented.
He simply preferred books over combat.
That was…fortunate.
Ethan doubted he'd survive a single sword lesson.
As they crossed the courtyard, Ethan couldn't stop looking around.
The academy buzzed with life.
Some students laughed together beneath shady trees.
Others practiced spells in open fields.
Several knights-in-training sparred with wooden swords, their strikes echoing across the grounds.
Everything felt…
Alive.
Not like a setting in a novel.
[New Objective Updated
Proceed to the Opening Ceremony.
Reward:
Continue Main Storyline.
Failure:
Miss Important Plot Event.]
"…You really don't want me skipping class."
[Correct.]
Oliver noticed Ethan looking around.
"Looking for someone?"
"…No."
"Really?"
Oliver grinned mischievously.
"I thought maybe you wanted to see the famous commoner everyone's talking about."
Ethan's ears perked up.
"The commoner?"
"Yeah."
Oliver lowered his voice.
"They say he defeated three adult mercenaries before coming here."
Another student walking beside them scoffed.
"I heard that's exaggerated."
"No, my brother saw it."
"They're saying he'll become one of the academy's strongest students."
Ethan remained silent.
There was no need to guess.
They were talking about Adrian.
"So he's already here…"
His voice was barely audible.
"Hm?" Oliver looked over.
"Nothing."
The closer they got to the central plaza, the larger the crowd became.
Hundreds of first-year students gathered before a wide stone staircase leading into the academy's main hall.
Teachers organized lines while older students directed newcomers.
"This way!"
"Magic Department to the left!"
"Sword Department, stay together!"
Oliver waved.
"I'll see you inside!"
"Yeah."
Ethan watched him disappear into the crowd.
"…Now what?"
[Host should proceed forward.]
"I was already planning to."
He joined the flow of students moving toward the entrance. Just a few more steps.
Then
Someone brushed against his shoulder.
It wasn't hard.
Barely enough to notice.
Still…
Ethan instinctively looked up.
A young man walked past without stopping.
Black hair.
Gray eyes.
A simple academy uniform.
No expensive accessories.
A worn leather sword belt hung at his waist.
His expression was calm.
Unreadable.
He didn't apologize.
He probably hadn't even realized he'd bumped into someone.
He simply continued walking toward the entrance.
Ethan stood perfectly still.
"…"
His heartbeat quickened.
"…Adrian."
The name left his lips before he could stop it.
The young man paused.
Only for a moment.
He glanced over his shoulder.
Gray eyes met amber ones.
For one brief second…
Neither of them spoke.
Then Adrian gave him a slightly puzzled look as though trying to remember if they knew each other.
They didn't.
After another heartbeat, Adrian turned away and continued walking.
The crowd quickly swallowed him.
Ethan remained rooted in place.
"…"
[Main Target Located.]
The System's notification appeared quietly.
[Hero Identified
Name: Adrian Ashbourne
Current Affection: 0
Current Trust: 0
Mental State: Stable
Physical Condition: Excellent]
"…Affection?"
Ethan blinked.
"What does affection have to do with saving him?"
The System answered without hesitation.
[People are more likely to trust individuals they like.]
"…That's fair."
He looked toward the hall where Adrian had disappeared.
The first meeting from the novel…
Had happened.
Except…
In the original story…
Lucien Veris hadn't even been there.
Ethan frowned slightly.
"…Did I already change something?"
The System remained silent.
Far above them, unnoticed by anyone in the bustling courtyard, a small blue number flickered.
[Story Deviation: 0.2%]
It disappeared before Ethan could see it.
The story had taken its first step away from its original path.
And neither Ethan nor Adrian realized that a single exchanged glance would one day become the beginning of everything.