"Young Lord Falkrona."
The guards, or maybewardens was probably a better word, given they weren't wearing full armor, all snapped to attention as I approached the massive double doors.
They looked more like glorified high school security than elite soldiers, but they still knew who I was. And they couldn't hide the shock on their faces.
The last time the kingdom saw Edward Falkrona, he looked… well, different. The news outlets had been running the absolute worst picture of me for weeks—some scowling, overgrown mess that screamed 'future villain'. Standing here now with short hair, cleaner features, and a slightly less homicidal aura, I barely looked like the same person.
I ignored their staring.
"What are you waiting for, open the damn doors," I said.
"Lord Edward, we can't...the ceremony has already—"
"Who I am? Some random commoner?" I narrowed my eyes.
The warden hesitated, glancing at his colleagues, maybe fearing consequences.
Well, realistically, if there were consequences, who was going to enforce them? My father was a duke. My reputation was terrifying. Nobody here wanted to be the guy who told Edward Falkrona 'no'.
He sighed, defeated.
He and three other wardens placed their hands against the five-meter-tall white doors.
Complex golden symbols etched into the surface flared to life, glowing with mana.
-CREAK!
The heavy doors groaned open, the sound echoing loudly enough to be heard in the next county.
Behind me, I heard Jayden and Milleia gulp.
In the game, they'd snuck in through the small side doors, trying to be subtle and failing miserably when Jayden tripped over his own feet and face-planted in front of everyone.
Worthy of the dense clumsy Japanese protagonist he was supposed to be actually.
I wasn't letting that happen to me however.
If we were going to be late, we were going to own it. I wanted them to understand exactly where they were: the most prestigious academy in the kingdom. You don't sneak into a place like this. You walk in like you own it.
The doors swung fully open.
The first thing that hit me was the scale of the place. The auditorium was massive, a sea of tiered seats filled with hundreds of students, all facing a grand stage bathed in mana-light. A long red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way down the center aisle to the podium.
And on that podium stood an old man.
He stopped speaking mid-sentence.
His yellow eyes locked onto me instantly.
Geoffrey Higer Eden. Headmaster. Principal. And the main reason I'd chosen this dramatic entrance.
I wanted him to see me.
Not the rumors nor the scandals but.
He needed to know I wasn't just some spoiled, violent noble brat. He needed to see the talent, the confidence, the potential. Because in the future, this old man was going to be very, very useful to me.
Of course, he wasn't the only one staring.
EVERYONE was staring literally.
The silence stretched for a second before a wave of gasps rippled through the hall.
"Is that…?"
"Falkrona?"
"He's actually here?"
I ignored the whispers. I stepped onto the red carpet, my footsteps echoing sharply in the quiet hall. Jayden and Milleia followed close behind, stiff with nerves but keeping pace.
I kept my gaze fixed on the headmaster. I didn't look left or right. I just walked, locking eyes with him until I reached the front row.
Once there, I finally broke contact and glanced around.
No empty seats.
Naturally. The front row was reserved for high-ranking nobles and second-years.
I stopped in front of a student sitting near the aisle. Judging by his yellow tie, he was a second-year. Judging by his trembling hands, he knew exactly who I was.
"Move."
"Y-Yesh!"
He scrambled up so fast he almost knocked his chair over, retreating to the back rows without a single complaint.
Perfect.
I looked at the seat.
Then I frowned.
I actually wanted to sit, but… sitting in a warm spot some guy just vacated?
Disgust curled in my stomach.
Don't judge me though.
It might be just a noble reflex. I couldn't help it.
"..."
I took off my blazer, folded it neatly, and placed it on the seat cushion. Then I sat on the blazer.
Problem solved.
To my surprise, the students on either side of me, a boy and a girl immediately jumped up and vacated their seats too.
"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath.
Milleia looked guilty, reaching out as if to stop them, but they just glared at her and fled to the back.
Jayden and Milleia exchanged a look, then hesitantly sat down in the empty spots next to me.
Who are you, my lackeys?!
"Student Edward Falkrona."
The deep voice rolled over just when I was grimacing to these two.
I turned my head.
The Headmaster was looking down at me from the podium, expression unreadable but definitely cold.
"You arrived late and interrupted my address," he said. "I ask that you take your seat and do not disturb the ceremony further."
"Of course," I said with a polite, dazzling smile.
I settled back into my chair, looking perfectly at ease.
The old man's brow twitched. But he didn't press it. He just turned back to the microphone and resumed his speech as if nothing happened.
"..."
Beside me, Jayden and Milleia were stiff as boards.
"I would like a thunderous applause for the top-ranked students of the first year," the Headmaster continued. "In a surprising turn of events, they tied for first place. Please welcome Alfred Owen Celesta and Aurora Avia Celesta."
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
The applause was deafening.
Two figures stood up from the front row on the other side of the aisle.
A handsome young man with golden hair and a smile that probably cured diseases, girl's diseases of course.
And a golden-haired beauty who looked like she'd been sculpted from light.
Alfred and Aurora.
The Prince and Princess of the Celesta Kingdom.
Alfred walked with an easy grace, waving to the crowd. He was a [Pretender], a character type designed to be the protagonist's natural enemy in romance routes. He was charming, rich, powerful, and seemingly perfect. He could steal heroines, block routes, and generally be a massive thorn in your side.
[
'I know. You're into girls, right?'
[
I smirked internally at Cleenah's protest. Still, I was definitely glad she wasn't swooning. The squeals erupting from the girls around us were loud enough to burst an eardrum.
"Welcome, everyone," Alfred said into the mic, flashing a bright smile.
""""KYAAAAA!""""
I cringed instantly.
What is this, an idol concert?
I glanced around. The reactions were intense. Girls were blushing, clutching their chests, whispering dreamily.
Even Milleia was staring at him with wide, admiring eyes.
She grew up on fairy tales about princes saving princesses. Seeing a real-life prince who looked like that? Yeah, she was starstruck. Not in love yet but the potential was there.
Jayden, on the other hand, was glaring at Alfred like the guy owed him money.
Hey, focus on seducing Milleia instead of starting a rivalry with the prince, you idiot!
Then my gaze drifted to the front row.
One girl was staring at Alfred with scary intensity.
The [Villainess].
She was obsessed.
Madly, deeply, terrifyingly in love with him.
If Alfred ever showed interest in Milleia… that Villainess would tear Milleia apart.
I shivered just thinking about it.
Alfred finished his speech with some platitudes about hoping we'd all graduate together. More applause. More screaming.
Then it was Aurora's turn.
She stepped up to the mic.
And damn.
How did she get even more beautiful?
She was wearing the academy's alternative uniform for girls, a white blouse under a blue pinafore dress that stopped just above her knees, cinched with a blue leather belt. Knee-high boots. Red tie. It was elegant, refined, and screamed 'high nobility'.
In contrast, Milleia wore the standard blazer-and-skirt combo. Both were official, but the pinafore style was usually favored by the aristocracy.
"Welcome, everyone," Aurora said, her voice soft and beautiful. "I would like to first greet our seniors in the second and third years. I hope you will guide us as we accustom ourselves to this prestigious academy."
Polite applause from the seniors.
She spoke for a bit about duty and expectations, standard royal stuff. I tuned out halfway through, fighting a yawn.
"I have been raised to be an exemplary princess since birth," she said, looking out over the crowd. "That is why I am so glad to finally have this chance to be among you—my peers, my comrades. Please, treat me not as a Royal Princess, but simply as a simple student of your age. Thank you."
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
The applause this time was genuine, even from the guys.
That smile. That humility. She had them wrapped around her finger.
[
'Except me.'
I was immune.
Growing up with Ephera, Miranda, and Elona had desensitized me to pretty faces. And whatever I'd felt for them in the past, that weird, desperate lust or whatever it was, was gone now. It felt foreign. Like memories belonging to a stranger.
Aurora returned to her seat.
She didn't glance at me once.
Actually, she actively avoided looking in my direction the entire time she was on stage.
Which made sense.
I had, after all, asked for her body in the past.
'God, someone kill me.'
I cringed so hard my soul tried to leave my body. What kind of third-rate villain trash line was that? No wonder she hated me. No wonder Elona hated me.
I sighed, slumping back in my blazer-cushioned seat.
This was going to be a long year.