Valtherion Academy.
The name itself had a weight to it, a legacy that spanned generations. The place where nobles and the most talented individuals in the empire came to hone their skills in both magic and technology. And now, here I was, standing at its gates—one of the first commoners to ever be admitted.
It had all started with my mentor. Professor Amara Lysell, a respected mage and professor at Valtherion, had seen potential in me from the start. She had been the one to guide me, pushing me to go beyond my limits. And when the opportunity arose, she offered me a letter of recommendation. I had hesitated at first. Valtherion was a place for people of noble blood, people with connections and status. But Professor Lysell hadn't let me turn it down.
"You're wasting your talent, Ash." Those had been her words. She believed in me, more than I ever thought possible. So, despite my hesitation, I accepted the offer. And now, here I was, stepping into a world that felt as foreign as it was fascinating.
The first thing that struck me about the academy was its sheer scope. Back in the outer settlements where I grew up, magic and technology were present, but not like this. Here, the blend of the two was… breathtaking. Every corner of the academy seemed to pulse with a kind of energy, a fusion of magic and advanced technology that felt like it came from an entirely different world.
I glanced down at my uniform, a sleek, vibrant material that was far more than just clothing. I could feel the faint magical enchantments woven into the fabric. It was protective, lightweight, and something that I'd never dreamed of wearing. The bag slung over my shoulder had dimensional storage, allowing me to carry objects far heavier and larger than the bag's actual size. And then there was the Aetheris around my wrist. A marvel of modern magic and technology, the watch could track time, monitor magical energy, and perform a multitude of tasks seamlessly. To say I was impressed would be an understatement.
I wasn't the only one taking it all in. As I made my way through the academy grounds, I noticed the stares. Some of the students, both male and female, gawked as I passed. At first, I thought it might be because I was a commoner. I half-expected some snide remarks or looks of disdain. But when I overheard a few hushed conversations, I realized it wasn't my background they were reacting to—it was me.
"Is he a noble?"
"I've never seen him before…"
"Look at those eyes…"
I wasn't one to care much about my appearance, but apparently, some of the students were mistaking me for nobility. With my sharp jawline, vibrant blue eyes, and dark, wavy hair, I suppose I looked the part. Not that it mattered. I wasn't here to stand out for my looks—I was here to prove myself.
As I continued walking, I swept my gaze across the students milling about. Hundreds of them, each wearing the same enchanted uniform, each with their own goals and ambitions. I couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. These were the elites, the nobles who had been training for years for moments like this. I didn't feel nervous, though. No. I had worked too hard, come too far, to let nerves get in the way. My face remained calm and composed, betraying none of the awe I felt inside.
I recognized some of the students, too—names I had only ever heard in passing back home. Sons and daughters of powerful houses, some of whom were practically legends in their own right. But none of that intimidated me. Not anymore.
As I walked through a crowd, my shoulder brushed against someone. I turned, my hand instinctively rising in apology. "Ah, sorry about that," I said with a calm smile, my tone as polite as I could make it. But as our gazes met, I was caught off guard.
The guy I had bumped into was… odd. Not in his appearance—he looked like any other noble, dressed sharply and with an air of confidence. His bright brown hair framed a face that was striking, and his eyes—sharp and amber almost glowing—were piercing. There was something almost aristocratic about him, but his reaction to me wasn't what I expected.
Instead of acknowledging my apology, he merely shrugged me off. "Watch where you're going," he said, his tone dripping with condescension. There was a polite edge to his words, but the underlying arrogance was unmistakable. He brushed past me with a small, dismissive smile, as if I were beneath him.
I blinked, caught off guard by the interaction. Around us, a few students who had overheard his words muttered some not-so-subtle insults under their breath.
"Who does he think he is?"
"Typical noble arrogance."
I shook my head, my smile fading as I continued walking. Did I do something to get on his bad side? I didn't know who he was, but it was clear he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. I let it go, though. There were more important things to focus on.
...
I'm in deep shit?
The moment Lucius saw him—Ash Braker, the protagonist of the entire damn novel—he knew he had to get out of there. Fast. Bumping into him had been the last thing he wanted. But what was he supposed to do? He couldn't exactly ignore him. And so, he did the next best thing—he played his part as Lucius Foster, the arrogant noble who didn't give a damn about anyone else.
"Watch where you're going," he had said, hoping the dismissive response would be enough to avoid any further interaction. He added a condescending smile for good measure, then walked away as quickly as he could without making it obvious he was trying to escape.
Sure, he heard the nasty remarks from the other students. "Typical noble," they whispered. He didn't care. Better to be thought of as a pompous ass than to get caught up with the protagonist of all people. If he made too big of an impression on Ash now, he'd risk getting dragged into the main storyline. And he wasn't ready for that.
Not yet, he thought to herself as he made his way through the crowd. He need to stay low, avoid the key characters, and figure out what the hell is going on with this system before he get involved in any major plotlines.
But still, bumping into Ash… that was too close for comfort. He had to be more careful. Playing the role of Lucius wasn't going to be easy, but it was better than dying in the background, wasn't it?
Marcus let out a sigh as he left the courtyard behind, his heart still racing from the unexpected encounter. All he could hope was that Ash would forget about him as quickly as he'd tried to brush him off.