Xian felt deja vu. When he first came in this world, Carmillia was in the very same bad mood. But this time, the heroine he's facing, is much more dangerous than Carmillia in terms of power.
Although he did say that they had the same circumstances, hers was a little different. Unlike him who could regress however much he wants, this particular heroine regressed years past the beginning of the story.
She has a special fate and goal at the end of her journey she needs to achieve. Like any regression protagonist, achieving a formidable level of skill before being sent back, almost to the point of completion.
'But it doesn't make any sense.' Xian was disconcerted. The anger and bloodlust she's showing towards Carmillia was too intense.
He was also infuriated, because there was no way of knowing what kind of previous life she had. In the game, she was an inaccessible heroine due to the special condition of finishing a playthrough first while being present in all of her observations and events.
It didn't matter if the protagonist had a bad end, or chose someone else, all that mattered is participation. With the game merging with reality, he thought that at the very least, his level of freedom would allow to him to influence her in advance. But things turned out differently. Now, she was showing signs of having regressed already.
In the game, only in the second run onwards will there be a route and story specifically for her.
Which he had never attempted to, because he heard that by far, her story has the longest playtime compared to all the other heroine's. So he didn't touch it.
There's also the reason that she isn't to his tastes. Xian's basis when playing a heroine's route is appearance. And while this heroine looked pretty, she was far from what he wanted.
He only played the route of heroine's he liked and had a simple glimpse's of other route's through watching playthrough videos on the internet.
Now it was all coming back to bite him. He had general knowledge about most heroine's, but this particular one is tricky even with known information, because her actions is solely based on her past life and things she want's to change.
'No, I can still make this work.' Xian thought that, if she's supposed to be a route here, then her past life's action must not be so different from what he knew. Of course, there will be a certain margin of error if he guessed, since the event's aren't exactly uninfluenced by external factors made by other characters.
The presence of the protagonist meant they will cross paths too.
'But, if she followed the 'True route', then she's no different from the others.' If her previous life followed her generic route without the players external influence then the situation is still manageable. Further observation in the mean time will be required.
However, there's another problem. What role did 'Carmillia' play in her past life? In which of the events does she come into play? A role significant enough to incur this regressed heroines wrath.
While Xian is in deep thought, Carmillia, undeterred by the killing intent directed at her stood with an air of superiority and returned an uninterested gaze to the other heroine.
She must be thinking that it was another no name commoner who had a grudge to her family. Ever since her mothers death and the massacre, countless had attempted to take revenge only to be beheaded at her orders.
Today will be no different, with Serika and Lucinelle, two elite dark guards by her side.
"…" The said heroine however, didn't move. The two guards by the villainess's side didn't even enter her gaze. She only stared at Carmillia.
The standoff made the onlookers silent, some gulping and some smiling, expecting a bloody show.
Serika was about to draw her blade first as always, when Xian suddenly went in front and blocked their view.
At that, the said heroine broke her gaze away from Carmillia.
'Let's see, do you know me or not?' Xian planned to gauge the heroine's reaction, whether he existed in her past life or not. In this way, he can confirm too whether he's supposed to have died or is alive.
For now, her past life can be treated as a reference to the 'canon' route of the game story. Players had argued among themselves what the canon route of the game is for several years, but the strongest contender was…
'Castreyja.' Being a regressor and having the longest route after all, meant that her existence was special.
Xian put on his most intimidating expression and looked at her.
However, while he observed Castreyja, her only expression was… of bewilderment.
'She doesn't know me.' That confirmed that 'his body' never went in the academy or did anything significant to be memorable enough. But, by this body's special skills, he didn't seem to be a simple npc.
"Move aside. You're in the way." Xian's attitude went against a butler's etiquette, taught by Moris. But, this is now the academy, if he wanted to be unbothered by reckless individuals harboring a grudge against Carmillia…
Showing weakness and politeness isn't going to help, it will just make them approach carelessly. While that may be useful in its own way, the inconvenience out weights the pros. Besides, his appearance was perfect for arrogance.
Looking at the rather tall figure obscuring the view, her expression remained contorted, but is now tinged with confusion. "… Who the hell are—?"
Before she could even finish, the academy grounds shook and an overwhelming sense of oppression enveloped the entrants. Some shook, some fainted and fell on the ground.
It was no different from a warning assault as various entourages from respective families raised their weapons and chanted spells.
"Silence." A single word uttered with neither high or low pitched voice was heard through the ears of everyone. That dispersed anyone's intention to prepare for battle. Such event's were not new for those who had heard of how Rozenfall operates.
'This is irrational.' Xian was just fine, because his defiance trait gave him resistance at oppression like this as long as they are not of high level. But the other entrants weren't even at level 10... In the game, this entrance of the instructor made the protagonist struggle on his knees as a level 1.
A man hovered above the entrants with fluttering robes and distinctive long black hair. Behind him, is an entourage of similarly uniformed figures, each with their own unique appearance and disposition around them. They were the selected faculty of professors to preside over this years examination.
Carmillia's eyes winced, looking up at the figure above. One by one, the ground in front of each entrants, alone or with their entourage emitted a dark blue light as doors slowly rose from the ground.
"The entrance examination shall begin. Entrants, enter to the corresponding doors in front of you. Only one person can enter and the servants… may wait for their master's results from where the academy's staff directs you."
Doors each with their own unique appearances appeared in each of the candidates as papers from their pockets came out and burned into ashes. It was the admission papers of the academy. Carmillia had two papers burning in front of her, which meant the other one was for Xian.
The crowd buzzed with various factions talking amongst themselves. While Xian and Miri huddled together with Carmillia and the Two swordmaiden.
"Then, I wish you luck young miss." Spoke Lucinelle. From this point onwards, Lucinelle and Serika will be separated from Carmillia, as they came to the academy not as enrollee's, but servants.
"It's up to you now Xian." Serika patted his shoulder, pointing at the crazy girl that had blocked them earlier. "If you see her, make sure to teach her a lesson."
"…" Xian was speechless. If anything, she's the one who will teach Xian a lesson due to the difference in skills. He haven't even checked his own skills yet.
Silently, Carmillia observed the door in front of her, thinking that such a day finally came for her. From the moment she stepped in this academy, she will be forced to do thing's she aren't used to and never expected to.
Her life as the young miss, followed by every servant and executing anyone that displeased her is no longer possible. While she may be known as a villainous figure throughout the kingdom, she was under no illusion that no one can touch her.
Here, in this academy, she can change that. So that no one can defy her no matter where she is in the world. But, with the absence of her usual servants, except the two swordmaidens, things will be very troublesome.
The households personnel who would heed her beck and call, wasn't in the academy. It's an 'Impartial' institution as they proclaimed, but if she managed to gather power within, then she can live there however she pleased. She looked behind her and found her subordinate's conversing.
Previously, Serika and Lucinelle stopped their studies for the sake of training to the limits and completing a pact with her. A pact that went beyond subordinate and master, entrusting their life in her hands.
Then her gaze turned to the tall and irritation inducing butler who clung to her despite obviously wanting him gone. If he left after his mission and completing his objective, Carmillia couldn't be more thankful.
But instead, he desperately tried to prove himself despite being proposed with an almost impossible challenge. Killing him was out of the option as someone from her father's side. For all she knew, that butler could have some sort of signal implanted in his body.
And every action his father took, has a purpose he meant to achieve.
She didn't know why this butler stayed, but she trusted her two swordmaidens. The absence of the 'filth' they referred to was a good sign. Even so, she couldn't let her guard down. Even a seemingly normal person can be corrupted at heart.
And the way he gazes at her… There was always an unsettling feeling. Like how her mother used to look into her eyes the same way.
Carmillia cleared her muddled thoughts and reached out for the door. Only to feel a presence approaching.
A familiar one she'd rather avoid.
"The two of you, follow me." The man who had just hovered and intimidated everyone alone was now standing before their group and beckoned for Serika and Lucinelle. Carmillia recognized that man.
Once, her mother took her to their estate and saw him. She was her uncle from her mothers side and a high rank instructor in the academy. The fact that he presided all the entrants with instructors behind his back is proof just how much the academy trusted him.
His eyes finally brushed over Xian and then to Carmillia. "Enter with the lass already." He reached out his hand and both doors of Carmillia and Xian opened, sucking them forcibly.
"Tch! This old man—" Carmillia had meant to curse, for the suction force was ruining her dignified image, but the instructor shut her up with a condescending glare. She knew well what that meant and could only bite her lip.
Xian didn't miss it as he let the force freely take him. He knew of the relationship between these two characters and he had to be careful. This instructor was the very sibling of Carmillia's mother, who died during the duke's massacres. It wasn't explicitly said in the novel, but he might harbor a grudge at the wrong person just like all the others.
Glaring, Carmillia passed through the door with a gloomy expression. Her eyes not leaving the man who shared the same blood as her mother.
With her and Xian gone, he turned his attention to the two swordmaiden once again. He snapped his fingers, encasing both Serika and Lucinelle in a barrier.
"What's the meaning of this?" Lucinelle asked, prepared to draw her sword anytime. The chance of an instructor attacking them is very unlikely but never zero.
"Your guise is of no use. Hm, it isn't a guise now that I look at it." Spoke the instructor who seemed interested. "Under the headmaster's order and the Duke of Montagne's request, both of you are to come with me into the academy."
"1st year, 3rd seat, Serika Cranel. Second year, 1st seat, Lucinelle Broquia." He took out two forms that floated in front of the two. "You two are to attend the academy once again."