The sun arose from the East, bringing along a chilly breeze and the pleasant chirps of birds. Dew dripped from leaves.
I quickly showered before dressing into clothes befitting the heir of a Mayor.
It was my first day at Stallard Hope Academy. Few days had passed since the initiation of the school year, and today was the first day of the semester, so I hadn't missed anything except the welcome ceremony.
Ian and the others didn't suspect anything regarding my amnesia, so all was good in that regard.
I had yet to start training again, and my mind was begging to resume. Although, my lanky body had other thoughts. Even jogging for a few seconds was strenuous for my weak body… I didn't understand how Ryan Ashford enrolled in the most prestigious Academy in the Empire.
Although…
He was quite handsome.
As I stared at myself in the mirror, I felt nothing but awe.
A jawline sharp enough to cut diamonds, and glass skin devoid of a single blemish. Snowy, azure eyes, and flowy, black hair that came down to my neck. Although my body could use improvement, I was good in the face department.
Tying up my somewhat wet hair, I headed out of the mansion with high hopes. I wished to learn the martial arts of this world… fighting techniques that could compliment my style and allow me to grow.
The monstrous sea beast I saw…
I was weak. I was very weak. I was insignificant in Melisande.
Even more so, considering the state I was in right now. A breath from my past self could vaporize my current self. To regain my strength and surpass it, I needed to become even more resourceful.
Time was something I didn't have on my side, since I was already 14 years old.
Unlike my former life, in which I began training at the age of 8, I was 6 years behind in Melisande.
As for the original owner of this body, I didn't really care. I was the owner of this body now.
As I exited the mansion, I saw a familiar face waiting for me near the pavement. A certain blue-headed teenager waved at me, and I waved back. Over the past few days, I'd gotten to know Ian better.
The boy was obsessed with preserving the nobility and elegance of his family. His obsession was quite comical, as he refused to do anything that might tarnish his reputation. Although, such indifference had caused his eyes to become sharp.
I admired that.
"Good morning, Ryan," he greeted with a soft smile as he began walking. The mansion was only a few hundred meters away from Stallard Hope. It was in an area where most nobles owned properties, so as to have a place to stay when they or their children attended the Academy.
Residing in hostels was beneath them and their standards.
"Good morning," I responded in a flat tone. "Is there anything I should know before we reach the Academy?"
Ian thought for a few seconds, scrunching his eyebrows lightly. His eyes suddenly shone as he spoke. "Everyone hates you at school."
Silence.
"What?" I asked in a confused tone, forming an expression of disgust. I waited for him to speak, but I got no response.
Finally, after torturing me with silence for a few seconds that felt like eternity, he spoke. "As I said, everyone hates you at school. You have a very low reputation, to the point where many would spit in your face if they could."
"W–Why?"
"I never thought I'd be relaying this to you, but you're a shit person. Or, you were."
"Was I that bad?"
That explains Caroline's reaction.
"Yeah, you treated people like shit because of your background."
I was a third rate young master?! Curse you, Ryan Ashford.
"I–I see…"
"Yeah…"
"So why were you friends with me?"
"You weren't rude to me. And…"
"And?"
"It's nothing. We're here."
As I looked away, I realized we'd already arrived. Stallard Hope was a monstrosity of an Academy, one that reflected the pride of the Symons Empire. It was one of the oldest structures in the Empire, preceded only by the Imperial Palace.
Looking around, I noticed a few hundred students walking around campus.
Since it was the first day, the campus reeked of curiosity. Everyone, from a commoner who'd received a scholarship, to the sons of Dukes and other nobility could be seen checking out the enormous and grandiose place.
Everyone seemed like a country-bumpkin, no matter their background.
"Let's go check out our classes," Ian suggested as we walked towards the building. At the front door, there were tons of papers pasted to the glass, revealing what classes each student would be in.
It took us a few minutes due to the long lines, but we eventually managed to reach the front.
"What's your first class?" I asked, sliding my finger down the massive list of names.
"Basic Combat with Yordian Dates," said Ian as he backed away. He noted down the list of classes on a notepad. "What about you?"
"History… with Ethan Unger," I replied. The rest of my classes were Basic Combat and Arcana Theory. I had one free block at the end of the school day I could make use of.
"All right, then. I'll see you after school?"
"Yeah."
As we parted ways, I began walking to my class. The corridors of Stallard Hope were massive, and it felt as if I were navigating through a maze. Many of the students wore purple-yellow robes, which I assumed was the uniform for second or third years.
Thankfully, the first years didn't have a uniform.
Finally, after a few strenuous minutes of walking through an endless maze, I arrived before a certain door. Beside the door was a sign that read, [Ethan Unger - 207].
As I stepped in, the sound of laughter resounded in my ears. My hair stood on end as I felt the approach of something.
Something dangerous.