"Master, it's time to wake up."
"Mmmh…"
I slowly opened my eyes at Elira's call.
"Good morning, Eli."
"Yes, good morning to you too, Master."
Today had finally arrived—the day the entrance examination for the world's greatest academy would begin. Naturally, the main protagonists would also be enrolling today, and I was aiming for the same class as them. Still, I had no intention of standing out. If possible, I wanted to take the very last position in Class S.
There were several reasons for that.
First, I wanted to support and monitor the protagonists' growth from up close.Second, I needed to protect them in case some unexpected variable appeared. If I stood out too much, acting from the shadows would become difficult.
After getting up, I washed my face and helped Eli prepare breakfast. This had become part of our daily routine ever since we started living together.
"Master, breakfast is ready."
"Mhm, let's eat."
Chew—
Eli's cooking was delicious—completely different from mine, which always tasted rather bland.
I'm truly grateful to have made her my ally.
I looked at Eli as she ate gracefully. Even the way she brought food to her mouth looked beautiful.
…Wait. Could this be what married couples feel?
"Master, is something wrong?"
Sensing my gaze, Eli asked in confusion.
"N-no, it's nothing."
"…Is that so?"
I quickly turned my face away in embarrassment. There was no way Eli felt anything like that toward me. Given our unusual first meeting, she probably saw me as nothing more than her benefactor.
Even though she was my maid now, Eli was, in truth, a highly skilled assassin.
I met her two years ago while escorting a merchant. Apparently, the merchant had enemies with connections to the underworld. They sent three assassins after him—Eli among them.
Naturally, I defeated all three.
What puzzled me was that despite losing, none of them tried to flee. Curious, I spared one of them.
That was Eli.
She told me that even if they returned, they would be executed for failing their mission. Since I found her intriguing, I offered her a place at my side.
At first, I only intended to use her as an information gatherer. But over time, we grew closer, and before I realized it, she had become someone special to me.
After finishing our meal, we cleaned up and prepared to head to the academy.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Then let's go."
And so, we departed for the academy.
...
The Grand Duke Astra's Residence.
A young woman with deep violet hair, like the night sky, sat before a mirror. Her eyes reflected starlike light, her pale skin flawless, and her gentle smile captivating. A maid stood behind her, helping her dress.
"At last, today has come, Miss."
"…Yes. At last… today has come."
She spoke while gently gripping a star-shaped hair ornament.
"At last…"
Her voice was filled with affection.
"I can finally meet you again."
Like a girl eagerly awaiting a reunion with the one she loved.
...
Fate Academy.
Founded 800 years ago by the Four World Pillars, its purpose was to nurture future generations—to prepare them for the calamities yet to come. With an exceptional environment, outstanding facilities, and veteran instructors, Fate Academy stood unrivaled as the greatest academy in the world.
Yet that wasn't what made it truly famous.
What set Fate Academy apart was its location.
It floated above the clouds.
Thanks to a magical device created by the Earth Magic Tower, the academy hovered five kilometers above the ground. Because of this, new students were forced to use teleportation gates to reach it.
And since the cost of teleportation was exorbitant, the number of commoners enrolling decreased every year. Those few who did manage to enter were usually children of wealthy merchants seeking connections.
...
Kieeek—!
"We've arrived, sir."
I stepped out of the carriage and looked at the long line inside the gate hall. Most of the people there were nobles' children.
"Let's wait here for now."
"Yes."
Due to the long queue, Eli and I sat on a bench in the waiting area.
After about twenty minutes—
"Next guest, please."
It seemed to be my turn.
"Where is your destination?"
"Fate Academy."
The clerk stared at me briefly, then looked over my clothes before speaking.
"You appear to be commoners. The fee for the teleportation gate is ten gold coins. Can you afford it?"
His tone was clearly condescending. Slightly irritated by his expression, I tossed a pouch at him.
"If you can't—"
Clink!
"Ten gold coins. Please count them."
I spoke with deliberate arrogance. To me, that amount was nothing. Thanks to my life as an adventurer, I could probably buy a castle if I wanted.
The clerk froze in shock and hurriedly counted the coins.
"Well? Is it still not enough?"
"N-no, sir! Please proceed!"
I intimidated him just a little—and found it oddly satisfying.
Whooosh—!
A portal opened, clearly requiring an enormous amount of mana.
"P-please, sir! This portal is connected directly to the academy!"
The clerk bowed deeply, trembling slightly. Finding the situation amusing, I stepped into the portal.
...
Tap—
I finally set foot inside the academy.
On the other side of the portal, another staff member greeted me.
"Welcome, sir. Before you proceed, may I ask your purpose here?"
Unlike the previous clerk, this man was clearly a professional. His tone was polite, his smile gentle.
"I'm here to take the entrance examination."
"In that case, may I see your identification? Due to strict security measures, all visitors are required to present proof of identity."
I nodded and handed it over.
"Mr. Shion and Miss Elira. Your identities have been confirmed."
"Please forgive the inconvenience. You may proceed."
He bowed respectfully. As I walked out, the door opened—and I froze in awe at the sight before me.
Fate Academy stood upon an endless sea of white clouds, completely detached from the laws of the world. The colossal floating island hovered high in the sky, surrounded by slowly drifting clouds like a calm ocean current.
At the center rose the main building.
A massive structure of silvery-white stone, reflecting sunlight brilliantly. Ancient magical engravings glowed faintly along its walls, forming circles and symbols that moved as if alive—like the academy itself was breathing with the flow of mana.
Towering spires pierced through the clouds at each corner of the academy. At their peaks floated enormous crystals, unsupported, serving as magical cores that kept the island aloft. From afar, they resembled stars bound to the heavens.
Open corridors and stone bridges connected the buildings. There were no high railings—only transparent layers of magic separating the edge from the abyss below. Far beneath the clouds, the world looked like a distant painting.
Within the grounds lay vast courtyards. Some were covered in perfectly maintained green grass without a single gardener in sight. Others were stone arenas engraved with magic circles—clearly meant for training and examinations.
The atmosphere was calm, yet heavy.
The air was saturated with pure mana—dense enough that even ordinary people could feel it brushing against their skin. Every step carried the weight of history, as if this place had existed long before the current era.
Fate Academy was not merely a school.
It was a symbol.
A place where the destinies of geniuses, monsters, and anomalies intertwined.
"…Beautiful," I murmured.
It truly deserved to be called the greatest academy in the world. Even Elira, usually composed, looked mesmerized.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Master."
We walked toward the academy courtyard, where countless applicants had gathered. Some chatted casually, others rested, while some actively formed connections. What stood out the most was the mix of all four races gathered in one place.
"…"
Watching this scene filled me with a strange feeling. Seven years ago, I was nothing more than a nameless background character who never even appeared in the game.
And now, I had stepped onto its main stage.
What a twisted fate.
As I pondered this, a familiar sound echoed in my mind.
[Ding!]
[Mission Acquired!]
[Make a strong impression on the main protagonists!][Reward: +10 Stat Points]
…Where have you been all this time?
The system had been silent for over a year. I thought it had malfunctioned—or perhaps abandoned me altogether.
"But… a strong impression on the protagonists?"
At that moment, the surroundings grew noisy.
"O-oi, look at that!"
"Isn't that the procession of princes and high-ranking nobles?!"
I followed their gaze.
Finally, I saw them.
The main protagonists of Crimson Fate Academy.
Seeing them in person was entirely different. Their beauty surpassed even the game illustrations.
"Wow, that's Prince Leon!"
The protagonist—Leon.
"Princess Elise is so beautiful!"
The Elf Queen's daughter and successor of the Divine Archer, Elise.
"That's the Archmage's disciple!"
Future Archmage, Riana.
"That's the Saint's disciple!"
The Saint's disciple, Narea.
"Kyaa! It's Sir Roland!"
The Destroyer, Roland.
"Those horns—she's from the Dragon Race?!"
The Dragon King's daughter, Tania.
"Sir Isaac is so handsome!"
Ice Sword, Isaac.
"…"
I stood there, dazed.
If they existed in my previous world, they'd be world-class celebrities based on appearance alone.
How could such perfect beings exist?
Especially the protagonist.
Described by a single word: Perfect.
Looks, ability, status—he had everything.
Compared to him…
Well, I think I'm fairly handsome too. Just not on their level.
"Eli… am I handsome?"
"…Yes?"
"No—forget it."
What a stupid question.
I turned away, embarrassed, when the crowd stirred once more.
"Isn't that the Astra family?"
"Huh? I thought none of them were attending the academy?"
"Yeah, but I heard a rumor yesterday—their daughter has recovered."
I turned toward the familiar name.
A girl stepped forward.
Deep violet hair like the night sky. Eyes reflecting the brilliance of the Milky Way. Pale skin and a gentle smile beyond reason.
If the main characters embodied perfection…
Then she was a creation of God.
I smiled softly.
She could finally shine again—walking toward her wish.
To you, who kept struggling to shine at the edge of your lifespan…You are the light of my dazzling life.Let's live without sacrificing ourselves—together.
The daughter of Grand Duke Astra—
Astra Luminelle stepped onto the stage.