The next day, the four of us took a carriage to Cassilope, the capital of the kingdom of Deem. The journey was less awkward with Historia and Evelyn talking throughout the journey while Keshi and I minded our business. I was on my phone reading through some academic papers.
So, this world have magic and I have none. I'm out of the ordinary for not having magic but not in a good way. That's why I have to make sure I'm on top of my game. I have to know as much as I can so I can solidify my position without requiring magic.
It took us a little over a day to reach the capital, Cassilope. The capital was exactly how you'd expect a fantasy world to be like. The bordering town was occupied by soldiers so there wasn't a whole lot of diversity there. But now I can see so many different races. I stayed close the group instead and minded myself even though I was quite intrigued by them.
"So, we are going to the palace to meet the queen. It would be a political conversation regarding the monster invasion of Scofinia. If you want to join in, you're welcome to do so." Keshi said.
"Sure." I responded. Knowing elite society people isn't exactly a bad thing. I should get involved as much as I can with the high society.
"But didn't you hate us earlier? Now you want to join US?" Evelyn jumped into the conversation but was elbowed by Historia.
"Even then, we are here because of him. We should be grateful." Historia scolded her.
Keshi chuckled awkwardly at the interaction but then looked at me.
"You've warmed up a lot in a week we've been travelling. But let's get to the palace quickly. It is not best to make the Queen wait."
"Naturally." I responded. I mean it would probably be impossible to not get on talking terms with someone you've been travelling with.
...
We entered the throne room. On both sides of the aisle had a bunch of nicely dressed people. Roughly fifty people, mostly men.
The three girls bowed and I copied their actions.
"Keshi, right?" A man standing next to the queen asked and she nodded.
"I hope the journey was not difficult." The queen spoke. The queen was roughly 30-? But she looked unhealthy... Now that I noticed everyone here looked sick to me. Whatever. None of my business.
"To be honest, it was. We were captured in Scofinia but this man saved us through a dire situation." Keshi spoke.
"And who this lad be?" She asked.
Keshi, Evelyn and Historia took a step back. Maybe it's my que to take the lead.
"I'm Kara." I responded. I didn't know what to say. I can't tell them my truth. "I was attacked by monsters. I barely survived but i had passed out for some reason. When I woke up, I realized I had forgotten about my past." I lie as easily as I breath. Strict parents raise sneaking children and not disciplined ones.
"Oh my. How terrible." She covered her mouth in shock.
"His clothes are not of not only this continent but also neighboring lands. I wonder where he might be from." The man spoke.
"How is the situation in Scofinia?" The queen asked.
"The entire kingdom is now occupied by monsters. Almost the entire population is dead. The bigger problem is now monsters invading other lands." Keshi answered.
"We have already sent all our soldiers to borders to fight off the monsters but maybe we should send a platoon inside the kingdom and investigate the origin of this issue." The man said.
"But we had close relations with Scofinia and saving two nobles of that kingdom deserves a reward. Speak your reward, Kara." Queen spoke.
"Academy." Keshi whispered the me.
"Uh... I would like to enroll in the academy." I spoke.
"Just that?" She asked, confused.
"Yes. I don't think I was a noble, so, I couldn't receive education. I think it is the most important thing."
"A commoner?" The man murmured. The aristocrats started whispering amongst themselves too.
"Granted. You can go there for free, too." She smiled.
...
I was about a month late for admission so I had to study a lot to catch up.
I walked into the campus that was nothing special to someone from 2023. The academy looked like your usual global universities. I was taken straight to the classroom. I entered the class and was introduced as Earl from Scofinia. Technically speaking, a duke of that kingdom gave me that title. Whether I had land or finance or not didn't matter as the kingdom itself doesn't exist.
I took the seat in 3rd row. It was best row because of the best view of the board.
"Hey, I'm Cecilia Finn Deuxhill. I'm the first daughter of duke of Deuxhill." She smiled at me.
I nodded.
"I'm Kara." I answered. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too! I hope we get along well."
"Yeah." I responded and took out my books. Thankfully, I could read and speak their language of Kanodi. I think it has something to do with the teleportation.
The teacher started teaching and things were confusing but I could start putting information together as the class went on and I could relate it to the MMORPG games. The magic mechanics were the same. Or at least, roughly similar.
"Okay! So, now we will talk about magic circles." Teacher drew a circle on the board and it was my first exposure to magic.
I looked at the circle and it looked like mathematical equation. No, I was comprehending it as a mathematical equation even though technically it was just a circle with some symbols.
"This is an A-class magic circle for healing. This is currently the strongest we have-"
"No. I can make it better." I interrupted her.
"On first day? interesting." Another student spoke.
I walked up to the board and I wrote a slightly different integral but again I was comprehending things differently. In my head I was writing mathematical equation but it was coming out as a magic circle.
"OH!? This is 70% better than that A-class magic." The teacher was ecstatic.
I walked back to my seat and sighed. Sucks that I don't have actual magic.
I wrote down a mathematical equation completely unrelated to magic and asked Cecilia if she could read it but she shook her head.
"Is this some kind of magic circle?" She asked.
"Nevermind."
Maybe I can use it to get a job. The class was already talking about me which is good. I'm not exactly against being center of attention. In this day, networking is the only way to get ahead in the life. I don't have social media to spread my words... Haha...
After the class, everyone surrounded me asking me all sorts of questions but then everyone moved away when a very particular girl approached me.
"Hi. I'm Elena Louis Penelope. The first daughter of Duke of Penelope. The largest duchy in this nation." She smiled and stood there with a smug expression.
Am I supposed to do something? Since in in aristocratic world now, I should behave. In Rome, do as the Romans do.
"I'm Kara." I stood up and slightly bowed before packing my back. "I apologize for cutting our interaction short but I'm a month late and I have a lot to catch up on. I have already given time to a professor."
"Huh? So a measly professor is more important than me?" The smug look was now changed to one who had been humiliated and had their ego shattered.
"Well... considering the fact that we are in the academy, teachers do hold the most authority. We are here to study and to become a better person. Time is of limit and once passed, it doesn't come back. I would rather make the most out of this opportunity." I quickly left not knowing I had made an enemy in this academy but even then, I couldn't care less.