It had been three days since the Evaluation Exam.
According to the Academy, over eleven hundred Cadets participated in it, but around five hundred of them failed to survive the first four hours.
They were all expelled immediately.
This meant only six hundred or so Cadets were now officially enrolled as first-years.
It was still a significant number, especially given how harsh the requirements were for passing the Interview stage and the Evaluation Exam.
To be honest, I had expected even fewer people to make it through.
Though, there were still more applicants waiting to join the Academy.
Scions of prominent families, including those from Monarchical and Ducal clans, as well as the children of alumni, did not have to undergo the selection process.
If their parents sent a letter of recommendation for them, the Academy would admit these kids without requiring any sort of test.
The downside was that they could not participate in the Evaluation Exam and compete for the title of Ace. It was only fair.
Still, being able to join the Academy without going through that hellish enrollment process seemed like a deal I wouldn't pass up.
That's why I was jealous of my sister.
She was set to join today since our father had very generously sent a recommendation letter for her.
Many other high-born nobles and royals would be joining today as well.
Lucky bastards.
The Academy had granted us three days to rest and recover from the grueling toll we had taken by fighting for such a long period of time.
Twelve continuous hours of undisciplined and ruthlessly violent combat had strained our minds and bodies far beyond what was healthy.
So, doing nothing but sleeping, stuffing our faces with food, and soothing our aching muscles these past three days was sincerely welcomed.
But, like all good things, our vacation had come to an end today. Right now, all first-year Cadets were summoned to the Academy grounds.
We stood in neat lines, shoulder to shoulder, like soldiers prepared to parade.
The expansive academy courtyard stretched around us, lit up with festive decorations as colorful streamers, paper buntings, and Academy banners fluttered overhead.
Well-manicured emerald grass swayed in the morning breeze, framed by marble walkways and a towering, majestic fountain at the far end.
The sheer size of that fountain was breathtakingly impressive, its water flowing gracefully around a raised circular stage of polished white stone at its heart.
Arching streams of water sparkled in the rising sun's light, creating a beautiful scene to look at.
Ah yes, the sun was still climbing the horizon.
Last night, all first-years were given an online notice to be here in this courtyard today by six in the morning.
For what? For our orientation, of course.
Yes, today was our orientation.
And it was starting soon.
The Cadet Council members and captains of most of the prestigious societies had taken their places on the central stage atop the fountain.
Vereshia Morrigan, the Council president and the third-year Ace, was all set to deliver her speech.
Her long silver hair gleamed beautifully under the first rays of the dawn, and her crimson eyes shone with their usual dangerous intensity.
Though she did appear to be suffering from slight sleep deprivation.
'Not much of a morning person, I guess.'
While all the other Cadets had been wearing the standard Academy uniform — an elegant black coat with silver buttons and trim, a plain black shirt, and tailored black trousers paired with matching leather boots — Vereshia's attire was slightly different.
In fact, my own uniform was different, as well.
Our coats had golden seams and buttons instead of silver. We also had a golden chain attached to the left lapel of our coats, giving us a more regal look.
Vereshia also wore a flowing white robe, its back emblazoned with a cursive 'Ace' in golden thread. I was going to receive a similar robe soon, as well as a cloak.
Oh, yes. A cloak!
The thought of wearing a cloak and walking with flourish and flair filled me up with glee.
"Hehe~!" I stifled a hysterical giggle from escaping my lips, trying to be mindful of where I was standing.
But just then, I felt the intense gazes of my fellow Cadets weigh down upon me.
Actually, from the moment I'd come to stand in the line, people around me had been staring at me non-stop.
Their gazes carried a complicated mix of emotions — like wariness, annoyance, fear, amazement, and so on.
They were all focused on me, following my every little movement, studying my every single action.
It was to be expected. After all, the show that Michael and I — and later Alexia — had put on display was one for the legends.
[C-rank] Awakends don't possess the kind of power we showed during the Evaluation Exam.
I mean, most of it was Michael. But Alexia and I went toe-to-toe with him and held our ground… in a three-way match.
In fact, it was Alexia who gave us both a bit of a challenge.
And after all that, I was the one who eliminated them both.
So, in the eyes of the rest of the Cadets, the three of us were nothing short of monsters.
Michael Godswill – the peasant who was able to perform feats unbefitting of his rank and fought two Ducal scions like he was their equal.
Alexia Von Zynx – the petite blind girl who fought more like a seasoned warrioress than a highborn noblewoman.
And finally, me…
Samael Kaizer Theosbane – the supposed bratty son of the Golden Duke who somehow managed to win when all the odds were stacked against him.
It was all so different from the game.
In the game, Michael was the one who secured the title of the Ace at the start of his term.
Alexia and Michael didn't even cross paths until after they were placed in the same team.
And Samael was never supposed to be at the center of all this attention that only the main characters deserved.
I let out a soft sigh.
Good.
It was good that the plot was already changing.
If I didn't want the story to end like it did in the game, I had to try everything in my power to change the plotline.
And change it for the better.
I had a lot of work ahead of me.