Eclipse slumped against the wall of the restroom, clutching the porcelain sink with white-knuckled hands.
The nauseating burn in his stomach twisted sharply, and he leaned forward, dry-heaving as he fought to breathe.
The weight of his Dignity+ trait was suffocating, like a heavy chain wrapped around his throat, forcing him to hold his composure even as his body revolted against it.
This wasn't the first time the cursed trait had gotten the better of him, but it was certainly the worst.
Dignity+, a trait that prevented him from expressing vulnerability or humility around anyone beneath his status, had shaped his every interaction since he'd landed in this world.
Even when he wanted to appear normal, to soften his words, or to show kindness, the trait intervened, warping his intentions into coldness, arrogance, or worse.
Holding it back was almost physically painful, and he could only do so for brief periods before his body fought back, lashing out in the form of nausea, headaches, or worse.
The restroom door creaked open, and Eclipse froze, mid-retch.
He expected one of his classmates or, worse, an instructor, but instead, a familiar figure stepped inside: Silva, his maid.
She looked around the men's restroom with an arched brow and strode in without hesitation, her eyes narrowing when they landed on Eclipse hunched over the sink.
"Master Eclipse, I brought you some water," she said, her tone unwavering.
Eclipse blinked, surprised by her presence in the men's restroom.
This was beyond the bounds of propriety, and he felt a wave of embarrassment swell up, but Dignity+ prevented him from voicing it.
His face remained impassive, his posture stiffened to disguise his discomfort.
"No," he managed, forcing his voice to remain cold. "I'm perfectly fine, Silva."
But she didn't leave.
She stepped closer, her observant eyes taking in the tense lines of his shoulders.
"If I may, you don't look fine," she replied.
Eclipse felt a little pain because a commoner was showing sympathy to him.
Silva showed what on her hands, "Do you need a drink?"
"No."
He might want to he felt like but because of his dignity it wouldn't let someone tried to help them out of kindness.
"But Master you..."
"I might die if I drink that."
Silva gulped.
After a moment...
Silva gestured toward the door.
"The trial will be starting soon, Master. We should prepare."
Eclipse straightened, the mention of the trial snapping him back to the present.
The trial huh...
He wished he can just stay away from all of this, find somewhere to live and be happy.
But the fact was, the trial is one he couldn't afford to miss, especially with the eyes of his family and the Academy's elite fixed on him.
They exited the restroom together and made their way back to his dorm room, where he could change out of his stained suit.
Once inside his dorm, Eclipse quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes: a crisp, dark shirt with subtle silver embroidery, paired with a deep blue overcoat lined with protective mana threads.
It was the cheapest-looking among his clothes he found.
He tugged at the sleeves of his coat, examining himself in the mirror.
If I have this face back then... I might have a girlfriend...
A loud, echoing bell rang through the halls of the Academy, snapping him out of his thoughts.
The trial was beginning.
He gathered his things and nodded at Silva, who had been waiting patiently by the door.
"Let's go," he said, and together they left the dorm and headed toward the central assembly hall where all students would gather before the trial began.
_____
The assembly hall was vast, a colossal stone chamber lined with arched windows that stretched up to a vaulted ceiling covered in intricate paintings of heroes from ages past.
Crystal chandeliers floated in midair, casting a warm, eerie glow over the gathering students.
Hundreds of cadets, nobles, and commoners alike, were milling around the center, waiting for instructions.
The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, as if everyone could sense that something monumental was about to begin.
Eclipse's eyes swept across the room, taking in the sea of faces.
He recognized a few characters from the game—students whose names and abilities had been burned into his mind through countless hours of gameplay.
As Eclipse took in the sight of Caelum's entourage, he felt a renewed sense of urgency.
The Hero's path was unfolding rapidly, and if Eclipse wasn't careful, he'd find himself ensnared in it without any way to escape.
The sound of footsteps echoed throughout the hall, and the murmurs of the crowd fell silent as the headmistress, Lady Aurelia, entered the room.
She was tall and imposing, with a gaze as sharp as a sword.
Her blonde hair was streaked with golden, and she carried herself with an authority that made everyone, even the most arrogant nobles, fall silent in her presence.
Her cold gaze swept over the students, her expression unreadable.
"Welcome, students," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "Today, we will begin the first of many trials you will face at the Academy. Only the strong will rise to meet the challenges ahead. Only the worthy will lead in the war to come. And only the exceptional will survive."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
Wow, she looks a lot more pretty now that she's real, Eclipse thought.
"Prepare yourselves," Lady Aurelia continued, her gaze hardening. "You are all here to prove yourselves, but remember that your survival is a top priority. I believed you have been explained by your teacher, so I won't bother you with more words.
"The first trial begins now."
Aurelia raised her hands, Eclipse knew what she was trying to do. In the game, Lady Aurelia is a master of space magic.
They would be teleported to the forest.
He glanced at Silva, who gave him a subtle nod.