Chapter 3: The Academy Awaits

Chapter 3: The Academy Awaits

The towering gates of the Academy of Elysium stood before Yamauca like a symbol of his impending doom. Despite his resolve to lay low, the weight of Aetrial’s reputation as a despised and feared individual pressed down on him.

The students milling about the academy grounds split into two clear camps upon his arrival. The noble elites, seated comfortably at the top of society’s hierarchy, barely acknowledged his presence, their disdain for him evident in the sneers and dismissive glances they sent his way. Meanwhile, the commoners and lower-ranked nobles stiffened in fear, hastily stepping out of his path.

“Perfect,” Yamauca muttered, his lips curling into a bitter smile. “At least some of them know to keep their distance.”

He adjusted his coat nervously, his binding still holding, and stepped through the gates.

---

The morning passed in relative peace—or as peaceful as it could get for someone walking a tightrope over a pit of dragons.

Yamauca entered the grand lecture hall with practiced nonchalance, though the atmosphere was anything but welcoming. The noble students regarded him with barely concealed disdain. Tyler Knightneurs, seated nearby, scowled openly when their eyes met.

“Ranolf,” Tyler muttered, not bothering to hide his irritation. “Shouldn’t you be off terrorizing the servants instead of wasting space here?”

Yamauca ignored him, moving to his designated seat without a word.

He felt the eyes of William Middleton shift toward him briefly, but the arcmage said nothing, his expression as cold and disinterested as always. Arthur Lionheart, sitting near the front of the room, didn’t even spare him a glance. The other male leads followed suit, their contempt or indifference toward Aetrial firmly intact.

The commoners and lower-ranked nobles, however, whispered nervously, shooting him anxious glances whenever they thought he wasn’t looking. Yamauca could practically feel their unease.

“That’s Aetrial Ranolf,” someone whispered.

“Stay out of his way. I heard he cursed a maid just for spilling tea.”

“Don’t make eye contact. He might pick a fight.”

Yamauca sighed inwardly. The original Aetrial’s reputation for cruelty and arrogance was both a curse and a shield. It meant fewer people would dare approach him, but it also meant he had to tread carefully to avoid triggering unnecessary conflicts.

---

By the time lunch rolled around, Yamauca had had enough of the tension. He grabbed his meal and made his way to the academy gardens, seeking solitude.

The gardens were vast and quiet, offering a brief reprieve from the prying eyes and judgmental stares. Yamauca settled under a large oak tree, unwrapping the meal one of the maids had prepared for him.

As he ate, he replayed the events of the day in his mind.

“So far, so good,” he murmured to himself. “No major incidents, no unnecessary attention. If I keep this up, I might actually survive long enough to graduate.”

His plan was simple: stay out of the male leads’ way, avoid crossing paths with the heroine, and let the plot unfold as it was supposed to. Aetrial Ranolf’s role in the novel was minor; all he had to do was ensure he didn’t attract enough notice to change that.

But even as he tried to reassure himself, a familiar voice shattered his moment of peace.

“Ranolf!”

Yamauca’s head snapped up to see Tyler Knightneurs standing a few feet away, arms crossed and an annoyed expression plastered across his face.

“Why are you sulking out here?” Tyler demanded. “Hoping to avoid embarrassing yourself in front of everyone?”

Yamauca bit back a sigh. Of all the male leads, Tyler’s hot-headed personality made him the most likely to pick a fight.

“Not sulking,” Yamauca replied evenly. “Just enjoying my lunch.”

Tyler snorted. “You? Quietly enjoying lunch? That’s a first.”

Before Yamauca could respond, Tyler turned on his heel and stalked off, muttering something under his breath. Yamauca watched him go, tension draining from his shoulders once Tyler was out of sight.

As much as he hated confrontations like this, it was a reminder of where he stood in this world. The nobles saw him as a worthless annoyance, the commoners feared him, and the male leads barely tolerated his existence.

And for now, that was exactly how he needed it to stay.