Six years later.
In the middle of the Zen Kingdom, a Royal Academy was built for talented individuals. Commoner or nobility, the establishment didn't prejudice one's status. Anyone with talent would be allowed to learn.
However, even with rules, higher-ranked nobles still had insecurities, so discrimination against lower status was unprevented. The wealthy families controlled the power. Therefore, a lot of times when the lower class would get isolated.
Since this was a different world, Ryu learned about nobility differently from what was on earth. Though, there were also considerable similarities. So adjusting to the cultures and traditions was not difficult.
Today, flocks of candidates entered the academy for the student entrance examination.
These people would receive a set of examinations to prove their qualifications. After being admitted to the academy, the person's ability would be assessed again and assigned to a designated class.
Those with excellent skills would be given the best class. At the same time, the so-and-so individuals were thrown into the bottom category—or the elites called "The Garbage Class."
'No wonder they kill each other.'
Finally, after a long carriage ride, Ryu arrived at the academy's front gate.
The carriage stopped. Ryu opened the door and went out.
"Fooo... That felt stuffy—"
Stretching, Ryu flexed his arms away from stiffness.
"—Now, I can breathe."
Ryu glanced at the whole academy and was surprised by its massive size.
"This is bigger than the university I attended back on earth."
When Ryu saw people, he covered himself using a cloak with a hood. He wouldn't want to attract attention due to his black hair.
'Should I have worn a wig? Nah...'
Walking past the academy gate, a person with a wealthy appearance abruptly blocked his path. Ryu was startled. He then looked the person along with his cronies straight in the eye.
"Gentlemen, is there a problem?"
"How ignorant."
With a nonchalant expression, the person rebuked.
"Riding a dilapidated carriage, no wonder such a person has no manners."
The tension heated up, and people started gathering around.
Much for staying lowkey, Ryu even asked his butler to use a simple carriage. Who knew, even with that, trouble would find him?
'I should have walked instead.'
A brown-haired nobleman, wearing an elegant sword on his waist, momentarily wanted to give Ryu some problem.
Ryu sighed, remembering his mother, who taught him the most straightforward noble etiquette.
"Um... Greetings? I'm Ryu, son of Baron Astre of Xan Kingdom."
A fake name. Ryu changed his family name from Xanastre to Astre to bypass background checks.
And the Xan Kingdom was the name of Ryu's newly founded kingdom, located south of the Zen Kingdom.
The Xan Kingdom was not yet a fully operational country. Due to the help of the old sage's illusion spell, the kingdom managed to avoid unwanted interference these past years. Even the Zen Kingdom tried to intrude but failed.
Today, the Zen Kingdom allowed international students to enroll in their academy to strengthen their relationships with their neighbors.
Watching Ryu and the brown-haired noble, the spectators were astounded as they whispered and gossiped.
"Another foreign student?"
"But isn't the Xan Kingdom... That, Xan Kingdom?!"
"Do you mean the newly created five or six years ago?"
"Didn't you hear? The Xan Kingdom is where that person came from."
"What person?"
"The evil person who ate a whole dragon."
"What? A dragon? A whole dragon?! Isn't that just a rumor?"
"No, I have this uncle who lives in the south, and he even told us that all of this was true."
"I can assure you that this is correct, my brother is a merchant, and he told me he went there once to make a trade."
"But... Isn't the Xan Kingdom, also called the Kingdom of Slaves?"
The last sentence made the crowd silent.
"Ehem!"
The nobleman who blocked Ryu's path continued. He stretched his chest and raised his chin proudly.
"I am Carlson, the eldest son of Marquess of Nothinton."
Marquess, a high-ranking nobleman, is placed below a duke. No wonder he has this egotistical character. If the memory serves him right, this guy was a side character of a novel who has hidden insecurities against Yume.
"May I know what Lord Carlson Nothinton wants with me?"
"Impudence!"
Another person, who was with Carlson, interrupted.
"Is this how you Xan barbarians talk with those higher in status?!"
"Hahahaha!"
The surroundings got filled with laughter. Even those commoners joined since they didn't want to be on the wrong side of someone influential as the Nothinton household.
Still, insulting someone from another Kingdom should be taboo unless one can handle the consequences of a conflict.
Ryu thought of burying everyone here six feet under the ground. Luckily, someone interrupted in time.
"Attention."
An imposing female voice made a throat-clearing sound, attracting the crowd.
"I am a senior student. What is this commotion about?"
The question came from a lady who had just arrived behind Ryu. Not waiting for an answer, she continued.
"Lord Carlson, are you still in a hobby of giving newcomers a hard time?"
Not seeing the face, her voice was sweet and pleasant even though it felt domineering. Ryu could tell that she came from a respectable family, with a high-ranking position that could impulsively ask someone from the Nothinton.
The public questioned.
"Who is that? She has black hair."
"Black hair, but isn't she beautiful."
"I think she was the first one I have seen with black hair."
"G-Gorgeous."
"...Wait, I think I heard from the social circle about a sole lady with black hair in the academy. If I'm not wrong, her name is Y—"
"L-Lady, lady Yume, good, good morning!"
All discussion was interrupted when Carlson responded in a high pitch. His voice was mixed with fear.
Ryu's eyes grew wide when Carlson spoke of the Lady's name. His thoughts started to process, and his face started to feel hot. Even his breath became heavier.
Earlier, hearing someone mention the color of the Lady's hair still gave Ryu doubts, but now when Carlson uttered her name...
'Should I look back?'
If she was the one Ryu had been looking forward to, wasn't this the day? The moment when a diehard fan would see his favorite fictional character for the first time in history?
'Is this the day when other novel readers would wish me dead?'
A chance that Ryu thought fate gave no one other than him.
'So what am I hesitating for?'
Ba-dump... ba-dump...
His heartbeat intensified.
'Kyaaaaa!'
Hardcore screaming internally.
His soul flew away and was contended but forcibly returned to his body when Yume spoke.
"Did you not hear me?"
"L-Lady Yume, we were just teaching this barba—new applicant that he should not wear hoods in the academy."
Pausing for five seconds before Yume replied.
"Mm... Indeed. Not allowed to cover one's face in the academy—"
Then she took a few steps forward.
"—Good Sir, may I ask you to remove your hood? And as a senior student officer in charge, show me your Academy Examination Pass."
Ba-dump... ba-dump...
'What should I do? My heart was getting nervous. Wasn't this the moment I was waiting for 16 years?'
He was questioning himself why he got disheartened now.
'If I do not follow her demand, I might be accused of someone suspicious.'
Ryu slid the hood off and turned around.
"What? Another black hair?"
The crowd said in unison.
Finally, Ryu saw Yume. His favorite character...
Ba-dump.
The time slowed down as Ryu glued his eyes to her.
Wearing the academy uniform. A white top covered with a dark blue sleeved blazer and a ribbon hanging around her neck served as a tie. Partnered with a long dress with beautiful embroidery of flowers.
Black hair glimmered under the dancing sunlight, making it shine beautifully, complimenting her spotless face that rivals a goddess'.
Ryu was mesmerized, like looking in the gorgeous moonlight.
A glistening skin like milk chocolate paired with perfect black eyes shows only pureness. While Yume's nose, lips, and ears looked like a child's, no one could hold back touching for its tenderness and cuteness.
Slender arms and perfectly curved waist. If not for Yume's villainess reputation and ominous black hair, her beauty would be enough to give heartache.
Her mouth opened wide when she saw Ryu; he saw her gracile, delicate alluring lips with sparkling eyes that continued looking at him.
"You have... black hair?"
"Yes, Princess."
"Pardon? But I'm not a princess, Sir."
Ryu found teasing her adorable.
"Oh, forgive me, Lady Yume Valenz."
"You know me?"
Yume got curious.
"I heard from Lord Carlson when he called you."
"...Oh. Then, let me introduce myself properly. I am Yume, daughter of Duke Valenz from the north. Also a fourth-year senior student in the Royal Academy."
And elegant.
In this world, college doesn't exist. Unless having a personal tutor, every student in the academy would be required to attend for 4 years.
Yume was already in her senior year. Even though Ryu and Yume were the same age, she started studying here when she was 12. At the same time, Ryu was busy recuperating and handling concerns in the Xan Kingdom.
'This means that Yume would graduate first.'
But it doesn't matter to Ryu. He already knew the future. And his only purpose being here was to accompany and protect Yume at the right time.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Yume. My name is Ryu Astre, son of a Baron from the Xan Kingdom—"
Ryu grabbed his Academy Examination Pass under his robe.
"—And, here's my pass... Please tell me if I can go now."
Not that Ryu wanted to leave early, but his heart couldn't keep up with these overflowing emotions. So he decided on a quick retreat for now.
'I'm biased, but Yume is indeed beautiful.'
"Let me check your pass first. Sir Ryu Astre."
"Yes, that's me."
"Mm..."
Gulp!
"Any problem?"
"No, nothing. Please pardon my behavior; it's my first time seeing someone with the same hair color as me. Also, as a senior student, I would like to apologize on their behalf for stopping you here—"
"We didn't do anything wrong!"
Carlson interrupted angrily.
"I suggest you stop, Lord Carlson. Do you want the Marquess of Nothinton to know how you, the family heir, do things?!"
"Tch!"
Carlson, with his companions, left hurriedly. The bystanders started to go when Yume stared at them.
"Thank you, Lady Yume."
Ryu's eyes were glued from staring at her.
"You're welcome... Um, do you have anything left to say, Sir Ryu?"
"No... How about you, Lady Yume?"
"Nothing more."
"So?"
"So?"
Yume unconsciously imitated. Realizing it made her speechless. Good thing Ryu said his farewell.
"I'll go now."
"Oh, yes! It was improper for me to take more of your time, Sir Ryu. I hope you pass the examination without much problem."
"Alright."
Ryu bowed his head politely. Despite not wanting to leave, he turned around and went to the examination venue. He needed to enroll in this academy first if he wanted to be with her more in the future.
Yume might have her guard up because she was already engaged to the Crown Prince. Luckily, Ryu also has black hair, so it piqued her interest, making him somewhat a unique existence to her.
Remembering all the hardship Ryu went through to this day... he could finally say.
"It's worth it."