Walking through the halls of Luminara Academy, Azrael's demeanor was as gloomy as the stone walls enclosing him. Encounters with the mysterious Valerian and the very personification of darkness, Caelum, had already clouded the day — a turbulent beginning. He was thinking about Celestial Linguistics, his next class, which was approaching quickly. His thoughts resembled storm clouds.
In this despondent state, he found Adham, a beacon of composure in the chaotic currents of his day. Despite his tardiness, Azrael was met with unexpected calmness from his companion. Adham, seemingly unperturbed, inquired about the encounter with Valerian, offering momentary solace in the shared experience.
"Your highness, you're okay! That's a relief... but I'm assuming it still didn't go so well?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, what do you mean, Adham?" Azrael, still reeling from the morning's events, responded with a furrowed brow.
"You spoke with His Highness, the crown prince, right?" Adham's question hung in the air, and Azrael's confusion deepened.
"Yes... Wait, how did you know?" Azrael queried, realizing that his secrets might not be as concealed as he thought.
With a sympathetic smile, Adham clarified, "Your highness, I told you I followed you for the past few months, did I not? I know that you would always attempt to wait for His Highness, the crown prince, to speak to him..."
Azrael absorbed this revelation, a reminder that his actions were observed, even in the shadows. "Does that mean you always hear what they— we talked about?" Azrael questioned, curious about the extent of Adham's knowledge.
"No! No, your highness. I may have followed you, but I wouldn't dare invade your privacy like that! It's just..." Adham's shoulders tensed, and he averted his gaze, revealing a concern that Azrael hadn't fully grasped until now. "When you do that, I would go to class to wait for you there, but whenever you do arrive in class, your eyes would always look red... as if you cried."
"Oh..." Azrael acknowledged, struck by the sincerity in Adham's voice.
"It worried me, especially when at times, you'd go back to the dormitories with injuries, yet you always seemed so expressionless and would not accept my help..."
'Azrael... you had it hard. Adham, too, I can't imagine how he must've felt.'
Apologizing for the unspoken burdens he carried, Azrael offered a heartfelt promise. "No, your highness, I—"
"No, no. Seriously. It really was hard on you. You could have always just let me be and taken advantage of the fact that I didn't speak to you to study freely, but you still decided to stick by me." Azrael's genuine smile acknowledged the kindness he had found in Adham. "This time, I promise I won't ignore you anymore, and I promise I'll be, well, a companion to you. If... you'll still have me."
Adham, taken aback, halted in his tracks, his eyes wide. "Your highness... I don't know what to say... uh."
Azrael's soft laughter diffused the tension, and he reassured Adham, "You can just say thank you or okay? I wasn't really expecting a full answer. We're kind of stuck together either way, but from now on, you won't have to secretly follow me."
"Y-Yes, your highness! I'm very grateful. I'll do my best to help you and make our three years in the academy worthwhile!"
A reassuring hush fell as Azrael, full of newfound companionship, started back toward their first lesson. Even with the difficult beginning, Adham's presence provided a ray of optimism among Azrael's turbulent day. He had no idea that the difficulties were far from over.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
Azrael's first class was with a professor named Arios Stardust. He wasn't a character mentioned in the novel, which meant Azrael knew nothing about him.
But based on the fear in Adham's eyes, it seems he's the type of professor who is quite strict. Azrael was in his final year of college in his past life, so he was all too familiar with this scenario.
Still, he was nervous. He was in a body he knew nothing about; he had certain ideas of how people viewed or treated Azrael, but he knew everyone's different. This professor could be someone who knew him well, and he'd never know.
Azrael didn't want anyone else to be suspicious of him; he could not handle a second part to his stressful morning.
"We're here!"
After a few minutes of fast-paced walking, the two finally arrived in front of the Astral Chamber, which is basically the classroom for the Celestial Linguistics subject. Adham took the initiative to be the one who knocks on the door and opens it when he hears a stern "Come in."
Reluctantly, Azrael and Adham stepped inside the opulent Celestial Linguistics classroom, where Professor Arios' steely stare greeted them. Tension was high in the air, and when the latecomers were dealt with for their tardiness, the room grew silent with foreboding.
An authoritative presence with a no-nonsense manner, Arios was quick to express his disapproval.
"Late again, Your Highness. I've already ignored the fact that you haven't participated in my class at all, but now you deign to arrive late?" Arios's voice echoed through the room, his disappointment evident.
Students who were already in the room turned all their attention toward Azrael and Adham, silently looking at the two as the professor scolded them.
'Ah. He seems really upset. How many times has Azrael come in late for him to have this kind of reaction?'
"Being an imperial prince is no excuse for negligence. In my classroom, everyone is equal, and everyone is expected to uphold the standards of this academy. Your status won't make you a better mage."
"M-My apologies, professor."
Arios seemed to be a bit taken aback by his response but was quick to shrug it off as he turned his attention to the servant beside Azrael.
"And Adham Lambert, I did not say anything because you've always been early despite your assigned master's tardiness, but as Prince Azrael's servant, is it not your job to make sure he's on time and not missing any important lessons?" Adham nodded in acknowledgment.
"You are aware, yet why is your master always late? What is the point that you were granted education in this academy when you are not doing what you are supposed to do?"
Azrael felt a sinking feeling settling in his chest. 'Isn't the professor being too harsh? I have to say something.'
"Professor, it's not his fault... I—"
Adham bowed his entire body, which made Azrael stop speaking due to his surprise. "Adham?"
"I acknowledge the professor's words. I have not been doing my job well, and His Highness is not at fault. If I were a better servant, then he wouldn't be late."
'What?'
A few students snickered. Azrael could see a handful of them roll their eyes toward Adham, some were even laughing. 'What's their deal? Seriously...'
There was a moment of silence, but then Arios let out a frustrated sigh. "Prince Azrael, Adham Lambert, this is the final time I'll overlook this. If you are both late again, I will be discussing this matter with the headmaster and the crown prince."
Both Azrael and Adham straightened their bodies as they glanced at each other with a look of relief. 'This is good. I don't plan on attending my lectures late, and I don't plan on getting Valerian involved. As much as possible, I really need to start steering his attention away from me.'
"Yes, professor." They both answered in unison. After that, Arios gestured for them to head to their seats, and they hurriedly did, but Azrael noticed that Arios' gaze towards him lingered accompanied by a strange expression.
The professor's eyes almost narrowed but not enough to be considered a glare; he seems to just be observing Azrael.
Azrael, however, shrugged it off. He figured Arios was still irked considering Azrael was an imperial prince and was obviously nothing like their beloved crown prince Valerian.
'He probably hates the fact that I'm his student. He knows he can scold me, but not enough because, student or not, my status is still higher than his.'
It didn't matter to him anymore. What mattered now to Azrael is that he's in class. It was a bit humiliating because he got scolded in front of his classmates, and Adham threw himself under the bus to save him...
But it was a minor hiccup compared to what happened this morning.
That was what he thought until he opened the textbook that was on his table, and his eyes nearly bulged out in shock.
A wave of unfamiliarity poured over Azrael as he stammered through the divine alphabets and complex incantations. The ethereal quality of heavenly magic appeared like an unattainable secret, and the strange symbols and linguistic complexities escaped his comprehension.
'What... is this? I can't understand anything.'
Azrael was familiar with the language since it wasn't any different from English, but the contents of the book were as confusing as staring at a genius-level mathematical problem.
He glanced at the students near him and at Adham to check if they all had the same reaction as him, but they didn't. All were calmly looking at their textbooks as they listened to Arios' continuation of their previous lessons, which the current Azrael was never present for.
It didn't help that whenever he felt like he wanted to ask Arios for clarification on what he's teaching, the professor's eyes would glare at him suspiciously, so before he could even raise his hand, he'd retract it immediately.
'Ah. This is the worst. I don't understand anything at all.'
Azrael gave up, the weight of the professor's censure stifling his efforts to understand, and felt another sinking feeling settle in his chest. Arios carried on with the lecture, leaving Azrael completely clueless.
When his first class finally ended, it was time to attend the second one. Azrael felt a bit more confident now because their next class is all about mage anatomy.
The class delved into the study of mana, its connection with the human body. Azrael was all too familiar with that due to it being explained in the novel.
It was great too because when they arrived in class, both him and Adham were early, which brought Azrael a little relief.
'Hopefully, things go well this time. I had a rocky morning, and a not-so-good experience with my first class, but I'm positive that this one will be better.'
"Good morning, Professor."
"Good morning, Professor Magus."
Both Azrael and Adham greeted their professor, Magus Greenleaf, as they walked into class.
Magus, who had dark green hair and brown eyes, looked up from his notebook with a look of surprise on his face. "Oh? Young Prince Azrael, it's quite a pleasant surprise that you're in my class so early and greeting me as well."
Azrael gave an awkward laugh. 'At this point, who ISN'T surprised that Azrael is speaking to them?' He thought inside his head as he rubbed his forearm slightly. He didn't really know what to respond, and thankfully, Adham responded for him.
"His highness has been feeling homesick the past couple of months, which led to him not being able to give his all during classes, but he's feeling much better now. Right, your highness?"
"Mhm. Yes. I apologize for being late up until today, professor. I can assure you that it won't happen again." Azrael bows his head slightly with a soft smile on his face.
Magus lets out a soft chuckle. "That's great to hear, Prince Azrael. I look forward to seeing more of you from this point on."
Azrael hummed in acknowledgment as he beckoned for Adham to show him their seats, which he happily did. The moment they were both seated, Azrael could feel a few stares and looks being thrown to him by present students.
He felt a bit uncomfortable, but he remembered Adham's explanation.
Azrael was quite infamous. He had many rumors surrounding him; he was mysterious compared to his older brother, he shut everyone out, and would constantly try to get Valerian's attention.
But on top of all of that, he was beautiful. Azrael could understand that in an all-boys academy, a beautiful student would catch people's attention; the fact there's mystery surrounding him enhanced their curiosity.
Now, that mysterious and quiet prince was suddenly smiling and talking, greeting teachers, and even conversing with his student servant.
That just fanned the flames of their curiosity even more.
'They have to get in line with wanting to get to know him. Even I'm starting to get more and more curious about the original Azrael.' He thinks to himself as he twirls his hair around his index finger, sighing.
"Penny for your thoughts, your highness?"
Azrael turns his head towards Adham, who was beside him smiling, and he couldn't help but smile back. "It's nothing really. I guess, I still feel pretty silly considering I basically zoned out for months just because I was homesick."
"I understand, your highness. But don't worry. Just like earlier today, I'll always have your back whenever the professors or even other students are giving you a hard time."
Azrael's smile widened at Adham's reassuring words, a warmth spreading through him. "Thank you, Adham."
'He really makes me feel at ease.'
Feeling a surge of affection, Azrael couldn't resist patting Adham's head gently. Adham was surprised but didn't pull away, instead he blushed, his eyes downcast in shyness.
"It's...no problem, your highness."
Though they were unaware of it, a few students seated behind them gasped at the gentle gesture. Startled by the unexpected display, Azrael and Adham turned to the source of the commotion, realizing they had unknowingly become the focus of attention.
'The curious onlookers are at it again...Is it because I was patting Adham's head?'
A small smile tugged at Azrael's lips, but before he could address the curious onlookers, Professor Greenleaf's voice cut through the room.
"Settle down, everyone. Class is about to begin," Magus Greenleaf announced, casting a stern glance across the room. The students quickly averted their eyes and focused on their notes, desks, or anything that would save them from the professor's reprimand.
Azrael retracted his hand from Adham's head, and with a glance towards the blushing servant, he turned his attention to Professor Greenleaf. The prospect of delving into mage anatomy intrigued him.
Unlike his previous class, Azrael was well-versed in this subject, thanks to the protagonist, Eirian, who had explored the mysteries of mage anatomy in the novel. Eager to learn more, Azrael listened intently.
Magus began the class with a quick recap of their previous lessons on mana, emphasizing how this magical essence influenced the daily lives of the people in the empire of Celestria.
As the professor spoke, Azrael couldn't help but reflect on his own mana, wondering how it differed from those around him. 'So far, I can tell that this body's mana is much weaker compared to others, especially the three main characters...'
The protagonist Eirian.
The antagonist Caelum.
And, of course, the crown prince of Celestria, Azrael's brother, Valerian.
Azrael had met all three of them within 24 hours, and he felt the vast difference in their magic compared to his. He honestly felt pathetic compared to them, but that's how this world was created; there were main characters, and there are side characters like himself.
'It wouldn't make any sense for a character who commits suicide to be written with magical abilities that could surpass the main three.' But he did think it would've been nice if the original Azrael did have some sort of hidden potential.
"Mana is a gift bestowed upon us from birth," Magus Greenleaf explained, pacing before the class. "Some are fortunate to have vast reservoirs of mana, often found among royalty and nobility. However, even among commoners, there are those born with substantial mana, a blessing that can shape their destinies."
The professor continued, detailing various applications of mana, such as imbuing it into magical items for practical use. "Mana is the lifeblood of magic, and its applications are unlimited. Whether it's creating magical artifacts, enhancing physical abilities, or even influencing the elements, the possibilities are endless."
However, Magus Greenleaf shifted the focus to another vital aspect of magical prowess—magical cores. "Beyond mana, some individuals are born with a magical core. This core grants them a unique magical ability, ranging from elemental manipulation to healing arts and spirit bonding."
Professor Greenleaf elaborated on the various magical abilities linked to specific cores, emphasizing that the imperial family wielded Celestial magic. "To reveal one's magical ability, they must show their magical core, as it is intricately tied to their inherent power. Today, we delve into the mysteries of magical cores and explore the vast spectrum of abilities they unlock."
As the topic veered toward displaying magical cores, Azrael felt a knot of anxiety tighten within him. 'Come to think of it, I still don't have any idea what magical abilities the original Azrael had.'
His eyes flickered towards Adham, who was listening intently to their professor. 'Should I just ask him? No, he bought all my excuses so far, but he surely will start doubting me once I ask anything about my magic.'
Magus Greenleaf carried on with his lesson, exploring the intricacies of magical cores. He underlined the rarity and significance of having a magical core, saying, "Some people are born with a magical core. This core grants them a unique magical ability, ranging from elemental manipulation to healing arts and spirit bonding."
"As many of you know," Magus continued, "the Celestrian imperial family wields the extraordinary power of Celestial magic. Their magical core, unlike the conventional ones, manifests as a celestial masterpiece—a canvas adorned with stars and galaxies."
'They mentioned this in the novel too, but they didn't explain it to this extent. All I know is Valerian and the emperor's celestial magic can match both light and dark magic. Not that much though, but they can survive.'
It's the very same reason why Caelum befriended Valerian in the first place because he had to target the imperial family first before the whole empire. Azrael was aware that the imperial family was powerful, but he didn't think they were that powerful.
'I'm a Celestrian right now, technically, that means I have Celestial magic....'
Azrael's anxiety intensified as Magus unveiled the uniqueness of Celestial magic. The professor elucidated on the connection between magical cores and personality, shedding light on the imperial family's transcendent magic.
"Each Celestial core is a reflection of not just magical prowess but also the essence of the individual. It is a celestial mirror of one's inner self."
Azrael glanced at Adham, contemplating the gravity of his situation. 'Why do I have a bad feeling right now? I feel like with the current topic, I'm gonna be asked to show my Celestial core.'
He shuddered at the thought of revealing a Celestial core he had no knowledge about. When the lecture reached its climax, one of Azrael's worst fears manifested when Magus Greenleaf addressed him personally, addressing the crucial point.
"I am sure most of the students here have not seen a Celestial core. I was fortunate to have had the crown prince as my student a few years ago, of which he gladly showed us his Celestial core which covered this very room with stars."
'No, no. Please don't say it, please don't say it.'
"Prince Azrael."
'Fuck.'
"Will you do us the honor and show us yours as well?"
The room fell silent as everyone awaited Azrael's response. Panic surged through him; he stammered, searching for words.
'What do I do? Should I tell them I don't know? No, I can't do that...'
The truth lingered on the tip of his tongue, but the fear of exposure kept him mute. Magus Greenleaf's request echoed, a daunting challenge that threatened to unravel the secrets Azrael harbored.
'How do I even show my magical core? It wasn't mentioned in the novel. All I know is it comes from a mage's soul. I have to think. I have to think, oh god, Everyone's staring at me.'
The students' eyes were glued to Azrael, anticipating a celestial display befitting his imperial lineage. Yet, Azrael did nothing but look back.
"Your imperial highness, please stand up. Do not just sit there in a daze." The professor calls him out, making him flinch. Azrael had to think, he had to decide on what to do.
'Hold on.'
Azrael thought back to everything he knew so far about this body and how it acted over the months. According to Adham, he was ignored by most students and professors. Both Arios and Magus reacted in surprise when Azrael spoke to them.
Which meant only one solution for him, though he wasn't too ecstatic about it. 'My whole goal for this day was to give Azrael a better reputation, but it seems it's not possible for now.'
He felt genuinely upset, but he had to do it to not garner any more suspicion towards him.
'It's only my second day.' Azrael meant to think about that positively, but when he realized how much he'd already messed up, it did not bring him comfort whatsoever.
But there was nothing he could do right now. Azrael was still clueless. If he'd been reincarnated as the protagonist or any character that actually had at least some information on them, he would've done better.
"Anytime now, your highness." He could hear the impatience in Magus' tone. Azrael knew he had no time to waste, so he did what the original Azrael would've done, took a deep breath, and looked to the side, ignoring the professor.
There weren't any gasps. There were no remarks from his classmates, no comments, nothing unlike earlier where he was showing some sort of kindness towards Adham.
From the corner of his eyes, he watched as disappointment lingered in Magus' face as he cleared his throat. He didn't seem too surprised as well, but it did feel like he'd expected some changes in Azrael considering he greeted him today.
Fortunately, he said nothing more and just continued the class as usual. Though Azrael felt that he should be relieved, he felt the opposite. There was an aching feeling inside his heart as he slowly turned his head back to the professor as he continued his discussion.
"Imperial magic, as I've often said, transcends the ordinary. An imperial family member's magical core should be a testament to that," Greenleaf remarked, his tone a mix of disappointment and frustration.
The expectation hung in the air — the celestial prince had fallen short of demonstrating the grandeur of Celestial magic.
Beside him, Azrael felt Adham's worried stare, but he could not bring himself to look at it. He became hopeless as the consequences of his deeds weighed heavily on him. The day that was supposed to be a new beginning for Azrael had instead become a string of blunders.
He went over the day's events in his head. He made an attempt to alter the story around himself, but the result wasn't good. A sense of disappointment and frustration increased the hurting sensation in his heart, which intensified.
Azrael discovered that, despite his best efforts to blend in and stay out of the spotlight, he had unintentionally attracted attention of a different kind—that of neglect and apathy.
As the lecture continued, Azrael's mind drifted, and he found himself lost in thought as he covered his face with his hands, thinking about the complicated nature of the situation he put himself in. He couldn't help but internally groan at himself as he thought,
'This is just the worst.'
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───
"Hey, Adham," Azrael uttered, his voice carrying a hint of weariness that didn't go unnoticed by his student servant.
"Yes, your highness?" Adham replied, his expression reflecting concern.
Azrael, still grappling with the events of the day, decided to shift his focus to the task he had assigned to Adham the previous day. "Remember the request I made yesterday?"
Adham's brow furrowed momentarily, but comprehension quickly dawned on him. "Ah. Do you mean the list you asked me to make about what you've done the past few months?"
Azrael nodded. "What about it, your highness?"
"Can it be finished by tonight? I'd love to have it as soon as possible, if that's okay."
"Of course, your highness. It's what I promised... but..." Adham hesitated, and Azrael understood the unspoken question.
"I am fine, Adham. Just having a really bad day. The list will really help me a lot to refresh my memories."
"I understand. Don't worry, Prince Azrael. I will surely deliver the list to you tonight, after dinner."
In answer, Azrael managed a half grin. Even with the comfort, he was unable to overcome the fatigue that had taken hold. The realization that the difficulties of the day were only a taste of what was to come was disheartening.
'In order to navigate this world properly, I really need to know more about Azrael. The closest I've got to actually getting to know him was...my vision earlier.'
As they walked towards their next class, Azrael's thoughts went from his encounter with the mysterious Valerian to the fragments of memories that surfaced from that interaction, fueling his curiosity even more.
'The only thing I know right now is that Azrael had some sort of brother complex; he loved Valerian despite his brother not loving him back. Wait...Before that, why did I even have that vision in the first place?'
Azrael couldn't fully think about it earlier because he was in the presence of both Valerian and Caelum, but how come he was able to see the original Azrael's memory?
'Hmm. Is it because I have his body? That could be the case. Then, did bumping into Valerian really cause that, or was it a coincidence? It would be nice if it could happen again so I can get to know him better, but I don't want to be near Valerian anymore.'
His sole encounter with Valerian in the morning was enough to make him feel some sort of hatred towards the character who used to be one of his favorites.
'That aside, I also have to figure out how to talk to Eirian again. So many things to do and think of, and so little freedom.' Sighing, he grabs a lock of his hair and twirls it around his finger.
'It would've been easier to find time to speak to Eirian if the timeline I was transmigrated in was within the timeline of the novel, but I just had to be put at a period of time where I know nothing.'
"Wait a minute." Azrael mistakenly says out loud as he stops walking, making Adham stop as well to look beside him.
"What's wrong, your highness? Do you need anything?"
Azrael didn't answer him as he was lost in thought. He pondered the timeline of his possession of his current body.
He knew from asking Adham the date yesterday that it was a month before Azrael would supposedly commit suicide, which means it's also a month before the contents of the novel start.
And then it dawned on him for the first time.
If he took over a month before Azrael's death then...
'Where is the original Azrael?'