On the day of the entrance examination, the sun was already blazing high in the sky by early morning.
The academy grounds were overflowing with people.
The written examination had just concluded, and countless new students were now making their way toward the grand arena for the second phase of testing. Excited voices echoed across the campus as nobles, commoners, and spectators crowded the walkways.
Some students looked confident.
Others looked terrified.
Rick walked calmly through the sea of people alongside Krai, both heading toward the arena to observe the examination.
After a few minutes of silence, Krai suddenly spoke.
"Rick… I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?" Rick replied casually.
Krai hesitated briefly before continuing.
"I know you're trying to find followers," he said while walking beside him. "But do you really think someone will willingly join you?"
Rick glanced at him.
For a moment, he remained silent.
"You know my situation better than most people," Rick finally answered. "That's exactly why I'm looking for people who don't stand out yet but still have talent."
Krai frowned slightly.
"You think you'll actually find someone like that?"
"I have to."
The crowd around them grew louder as more students poured toward the arena gates.
But Krai's expression only became more troubled.
"You're not the only one searching for talented people," he said seriously. "There are other noble houses recruiting students too."
Rick stayed quiet.
"And most importantly…" Krai continued carefully, "…the Crown Prince has already started making moves."
Rick's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
Krai let out a small sigh.
"You probably don't know because you never cared much about gossip," he said.
"But several noble houses have already tried to recruit Rome."
Rick's footsteps slowed slightly.
"Even the Crown Prince personally attempted to bring him over."
That finally caught Rick's full attention.
"And because of that," Krai added while looking directly at him, "your reputation at the academy right now isn't exactly great."
The two eventually stopped near the massive entrance of the arena. The sound of cheering crowds echoed from inside while students gathered nervously outside the gates.
Rick rubbed the back of his head with a tired sigh.
"Damn…" he muttered. "Now that's really not good."
"You're not seeing the full picture," Krai said quietly as they stood near the arena entrance.
"In the first year, nobody really bothered us because of Michael."
Rick glanced at him.
Krai continued walking slowly toward the stairs leading into the arena seating area.
"Michael was close to the Swordmaster," he explained. "He had talent everyone wanted, and since he came from an ordinary family instead of a noble house, most people avoided provoking anyone connected to him."
Rick understood immediately.
Back then, simply being associated with Michael had been enough to keep many problems away.
But things were different now.
Krai stopped briefly before speaking again.
"Michael has already graduated," he said.
"And now the Crown Prince controls the strongest influence within the academy."
The noise of the arena echoed around them—cheering crowds, nervous students, and officials shouting instructions from below. Yet despite the chaos surrounding them, the atmosphere between Rick and Kai had suddenly turned heavy.
Rick looked toward the arena floor where new students were beginning to gather.
"Let's go inside," he said quietly.
The two climbed the stone stairs and slowly made their way toward the seating area overlooking the massive arena.
After sitting down, Rick finally asked the question that had been bothering him.
"So what do you think I should do?"
Krai didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he remained silent for several seconds while staring at the arena below.
Then he finally spoke.
"Find a way to survive."
Rick frowned.
"…What?"
Krai leaned slightly closer and lowered his voice.
"Have you heard the rumors about the Crown Prince?"
Rick nodded once.
Only a fool living under a rock would not have heard them.
The rumors had first appeared nearly two years ago after a female student was found dead inside a private residence connected to the Crown Prince.
Officially, the incident had been dismissed as an accident.
But after that, whispers began spreading throughout the academy.
Stories about servants disappearing.
Students suddenly leaving school without explanation.
Nobles quietly silencing witnesses.
And over time, more disturbing incidents continued surfacing around the Crown Prince's faction.
Yet no one dared investigate too deeply.
Because he was the Crown Prince.
The future ruler of the kingdom.
Krai looked down toward the examination arena below while speaking.
"You see," he said quietly, "because of those rumors, many noble houses no longer fully support him."
Rick listened carefully.
"And recently…" Krai continued, "…there have been even more rumors spreading about re-electing a new heir to crown."
Rick's expression changed slightly.
"And because of that," Krai continued quietly, "the faction supporting the princess has started gaining power."
Rick listened carefully without interrupting.
"I know you're a noble," Krai said, lowering his voice further so no one nearby could overhear them, "even if I still don't know exactly which house you belong to."
Rick gave a faint smile but said nothing.
"But regardless of your status," Krai continued seriously, "every noble eventually has to choose someone to stand behind."
The cheers erupting from the arena below echoed through the stands, but neither of them paid attention anymore.
"So if you ask me," Krai said slowly, "it's far better to support Princess Nina than the Crown Prince."
Rick raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Princess Nina is known for being kind," Krai explained. "Reasonable. Calm. Unlike…"
He paused briefly.
"…the Crown Prince."
Rick leaned back in his seat and let out a long breath.
"I understand what you're saying," he admitted quietly. "And honestly… I've thought about it myself."
Krai glanced at him.
"But right now," Rick continued, "I don't want to chain myself to anyone yet."
His eyes moved toward the arena floor below where new students continued demonstrating their skills.
"I'll decide things after I see the situation for myself."
Krai stared at him for a moment before finally nodding.
"That sounds like you."
After that, the two returned their attention to the examination, carefully observing the students below in search of promising candidates.
Hours passed quickly.
One after another, students showcased swordsmanship, magic, physical ability, and tactical skill before the examiners. Some were talented.
Others were monsters.
By the time the examination finally ended, the sun had already begun descending toward the horizon, bathing the academy in orange light as the crowds slowly began dispersing.
"So," Krai asked while stretching lazily, "what do you think?"
Rick remained silent for a few moments.
"They're promising," he finally said.
"Honestly… some of them are even better than we were during our first year."
Krai laughed.
"That bad, huh?"
Rick ignored the comment.
"And a few of them," he added seriously, "might already be strong enough to defeat me."
That immediately wiped the grin off Krai's face.
"…Seriously?"
Rick nodded once.
"So," Krai asked curiously, "did anyone catch your attention?"
"There are several," Rick admitted. "But talented people naturally attract nobles. The same applies to exceptional commoners."
Krai understood immediately.
The more obvious someone's talent was, the harder it would be to recruit them.
"So what's your plan?" he asked.
Rick crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"We look for students who don't yet realize their own value," he said calmly. "People overlooked by others."
Krai smirked faintly.
"Like Rome."
Rick nodded.
"Exactly."
A brief silence followed before Rick continued.
"We'll recruit from both D-Class and C-Class," he explained. "And in exchange, we'll offer training, opportunities, connections… and support."
Krai seemed impressed.
"You've actually thought this through."
"I had plenty of time while traveling."
But before Rick could continue further, Krai suddenly interrupted him.
"And what about protection?"
Rick frowned slightly.
"Protection?"
Krai's expression turned serious.
"If we gather talented students under us," he said quietly, "then sooner or later… someone powerful is going to notice."
"If they discover we're building our own group," Krai continued seriously, "then why would anyone follow people who are openly hostile with the Crown Prince?"
Rick fell silent.
Krai's words were harsh, but they were true.
Right now, Rick's position inside the academy was unstable. Without powerful backing, gathering followers could easily paint a target on all of them.
Rick rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"Okay… okay," he muttered after thinking for a while. "I'll try talking to the princess."
Krai immediately let out a relieved breath.
"That's good enough for now."
And just like that, the entrance examination finally came to an end.
Several days later, the academy held the entrance ceremony for the new students.
The massive ceremony arena was packed with nobles, instructors, and students from every class. Excited conversations echoed throughout the stands while newly accepted students nervously waited below.
Rick stood together with Rome, Krai, and Leze near one side of the seating area.
Even from a distance, Rick could feel the stares directed toward their group.
Whispers spread constantly wherever they walked.
"They're not even trying to hide it anymore," Leze muttered while glancing around at the students gossiping nearby.
"Well," Krai replied calmly, "when the Crown Prince himself dislikes you, people stop being subtle."
Rome folded his arms.
"So what's the plan?" he asked while looking toward Rick. "Are we going to meet the princess directly?"
"No," Rick answered immediately.
The others looked at him in surprise.
"If we go out of our way to approach Princess Nina," he explained calmly, "then we'll only make ourselves look desperate for power."
Rick's eyes shifted toward the royal seating area where the princess would soon arrive.
"We can't allow her side to hold the advantage in negotiations," he continued. "Otherwise, we'll end up becoming nothing more than obedient dogs."
Krai raised an eyebrow.
"So what are we supposed to do?"
"Nothing."
"…What?"
Rick smirked faintly.
"We simply stand where we can be seen."
The others immediately understood what he meant.
"If Princess Nina truly wants capable people," Rick said calmly, "then she won't ignore us."
Leze crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"And if she doesn't come to us?"
Rick let out a quiet sigh.
"Then there's no point trying in the first place."
His expression hardened slightly.
"Because then no matter what we do after that… we'll never truly become part of her faction."
The ceremony finally came to an end beneath the golden glow of the academy chandeliers. The grand hall, once filled with formal speeches and strict discipline, slowly transformed into a lively banquet as servants carried silver trays overflowing with food and sparkling drinks.
Tonight marked the enrollment of the first-year students, and the academy celebrated it with all the elegance expected of nobles and royalty.
As soon as the banquet began, the senior students descended toward the lower hall where the newcomers had gathered. Laughter, introductions, and whispered conversations filled the air.
Rick stood beside his friends, watching the crowd with quiet anticipation.
Most of the students had already surrounded the princes, princesses, and the children of powerful noble families.
Their expensive clothing and noble blood naturally drew everyone's attention like moths to a flame.
"Do you think she'll even notice us in that crowd?" Rome asked softly while staring toward the center of the hall where the princess stood surrounded by admirers.
Rick gave a faint smile, though his eyes remained fixed on her.
"We can only hope."
The group eventually turned away, trying to hide their disappointment as they continued their own conversation.
But then—
"She's coming this way," Krai whispered.
Rick immediately turned around.
The entire hall turned there gaze toward them.
Princess Nina walked gracefully through the crowd, her elegant dress flowing behind her like moonlight spilling across marble floors. Every student nearby lowered their heads respectfully as she approached.
Rick quickly bowed along with everyone else.
"Princess Nina," he said respectfully, "it is an honor to meet you."
A gentle smile appeared on the princess's face.
"The honor is mine, Senior Rome," she replied softly.
Her eyes never once moved toward Rick or the others.
Rome looked startled. "Princess… there's no need for you to call me 'senior.'"
Still bowing his head, he spoke carefully, almost nervously.
"No, You are my senior so I should call you, senior. Please, raise your head."Princess Nina ignored everyone else entirely. Even with Rick and the others standing nearby, her attention remained fixed solely on Rome, as though the rest of the hall had faded into the background.
They talked for a while untill it was about time for princess to leave.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Senior Rome," she said warmly. "I hope we meet again."
Rome bowed once more. "Yes, Princess."
And just like that, the princess turned and walked away, leaving behind stunned silence and countless curious gazes.
The first meeting between Princess Nina ended with only Rome truly speaking to her.
Rick watched her disappear into the crowd before letting out a quiet breath.
"Hm… she didn't even consider us worthy of a glance," Krai muttered with a faint smile, though whether it was amusement or disappointment, no one could tell.
"So… what do you think?" Krai asked, breaking the silence as he watched the princess disappear into the sea of nobles.
Rick remained quiet for a moment, his eyes still fixed on the crowd ahead.
"I don't know," he finally answered. "We only met her today, so I can't say anything for certain." His expression hardened slightly. "But one thing is clear… she needs support."
Rome frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Rick folded his arms before speaking in a calm, analytical tone.
"Well, actually after the conversation with Krau," Rick continued, "I started looking into the balance of power between the noble factions. Right now, the Seven Dukedom Houses are divided. Three support the Crown Prince, two support the Crown Princess, and the remaining two are neutral."
He paused briefly, watching the nobles laugh and converse beneath the grand chandeliers.
"From the outside, it may seem like the Prince's faction and the Princess's faction are evenly matched… but that isn't true."
The others immediately became serious.
"Individually, the Seven Dukedom Houses are monsters in terms of influence and military strength. No single force can easily oppose them," Rick explained. "But armies are not built from great nobles alone. Most soldiers come from smaller noble houses and middle-ranked families Loyal to Duke."
"And most of those smaller houses," he added, "support the Crown Prince."
Understanding slowly dawned across their faces.
"That means…" Leze muttered.
"Yes," Rick said. "The Crown Prince's faction is actually far stronger than the Princess's faction. Even if the dukedoms appear balanced on paper, the Princess lacks the foundation needed to truly compete."
He glanced toward the direction where Princess Nina had disappeared.
"That's why she's trying to gather talented students and smaller noble houses under her banner. She's building strength wherever she can."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
The academy banquet no longer felt like a simple celebration. Beneath the music, laughter, and elegant smiles, an invisible political battle was already unfolding.
"So what will we do?" Leze finally asked.
Rick's gaze sharpened.
"We wait."
The others looked at him.
"We'll wait for the Princess to contact us first."
Everyone nodded in agreement, though uneasiness lingered in the air.
But none of them noticed the figure standing quietly at the far corner of the hall.
Surrounded by nobles and attendants, the Crown Prince observed them in silence, his eyes calm yet unreadable.
And just like that—
A new war had quietly begun within the academy.
Not with swords.
But with alliances, influence… and power between the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.