Aqua took a deep breath, his gaze drifting over the students around him. Rows of polished desks stretched through the lecture hall, filled with students chatting in hushed voices. They shot him occasional glances, some with suspicion, others with open disdain, making it clear that Lyle's reputation had already poisoned their opinions of him. Aqua could feel the tension clinging to him like a second skin, and it took all his willpower not to react.
At the front of the room, a woman strode into view, her heels echoing on the marble floor. Professor Aveline Lorrin was a striking figure, with severe features and an icy glare that seemed to cut through the air. She was known in the game as a tough, unyielding teacher with high expectations, and, as Aqua recalled, her distaste for Lyle was immediate and uncompromising. Even though Aqua knew the lore, feeling that scorn directed at him personally sent a shiver down his spine.
"Good morning, students," she said, her voice sharp and authoritative. "Today, we'll begin with a review of the foundational principles of statecraft and its essential qualities. Let's see who's been paying attention."
Aqua braced himself, hoping she wouldn't notice him. But, as if sensing his discomfort, Professor Lorrin's eyes landed on him with a spark of disdain, a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
"Lyle Ravenscroft," she announced, folding her arms as her gaze bore into him. "Let's start with you. Tell us, what are the three fundamental virtues of a successful ruler?"
Aqua's mind flashed back to his countless playthroughs, every line and scene etched into his memory. Without hesitation, he replied, his tone steady and confident. "Strength, wisdom, and loyalty. A ruler must be strong to lead, wise to make difficult decisions, and loyal to their people."
A murmur ran through the class. Aqua noticed several students' eyebrows rising, clearly surprised that he'd answered so smoothly. Professor Lorrin's smirk faded, replaced by a flash of annoyance, though she quickly masked it.
"Correct," she said, her voice clipped. "But that was an easy question. Let's see if you're capable of more than just memorizing simple definitions." She narrowed her eyes, and Aqua could see the wheels turning as she searched for a more challenging question. "Can you explain the difference between a ruler's authority and their power?"
Aqua's heart raced. He knew this one, too. "Authority is the right to lead, granted by law or tradition. Power, however, is the ability to enforce that authority—whether through influence, wealth, or military strength. A ruler can have authority without power or power without authority, but a successful ruler balances both."
The students went silent, a mix of surprise and confusion flickering in their eyes. Professor Lorrin's mouth tightened, and her fingers drummed impatiently on the edge of her desk.
"Fine," she muttered, her tone now openly hostile. "What is the key principle behind the Ravenscroft Doctrine of Diplomacy?"
Aqua could practically feel the disbelief radiating from the other students. The Ravenscroft Doctrine was a complex theory introduced late in the game—a footnote in one of the endings, but one he'd come across after hours of gameplay. Taking a steadying breath, he answered, "The Ravenscroft Doctrine emphasizes negotiation through strength and unity. It states that a strong alliance is preferable to individual conquests, as stability ensures long-term prosperity."
A flicker of frustration crossed Professor Lorrin's face. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line. Aqua could see that she wasn't just irritated; she was furious that he was able to answer each question so flawlessly.
"Oh?" she said, her voice dripping with contempt. "So you think you're quite knowledgeable, do you, Ravenscroft? Perhaps we should test you further. What about the philosophical basis behind the Sovereign's Code?"
The Sovereign's Code was buried even deeper in the game's lore, practically a hidden piece of worldbuilding. Aqua recalled it, though—the code was an old doctrine meant to guide rulers in prioritizing their subjects' welfare. He took a breath and answered, "The Sovereign's Code suggests that a ruler's foremost duty is to protect their people. It's based on the idea that the state exists to serve the needs of the governed, not the other way around."
The other students' eyes went wide. Aqua noticed some whispers spreading through the class, disbelief and curiosity mixed in their expressions. He knew Lyle's reputation as an arrogant, lazy noble, so for him to answer with such precision was breaking all their assumptions.
Professor Lorrin's face flushed. He could almost see the anger simmering beneath her composed mask, her jaw tight as if fighting to contain her frustration. Aqua realized that she didn't just dislike Lyle—she despised him. And this little display of competence was only making her resentment worse.
"Enough," she snapped, her voice echoing in the silent room. "You seem to think quite highly of yourself, Ravenscroft. I'm sure you'd like to impress the class with your 'knowledge.' But arrogance is not a substitute for character." Her lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Since you seem so eager to speak out of turn, why don't you spend some time thinking about humility? Outside."
Aqua's face flushed, the humiliation burning through him as he processed her command. She was making him stand outside, as if he were some misbehaving child. He could feel the other students' gazes on him, some gleeful, others pitying, all judgmental.
"Understood, Professor," he murmured, forcing himself to keep his voice calm and respectful. He rose from his seat, feeling the stares follow him as he walked down the aisle and out of the room. His heart was pounding, a mixture of anger and embarrassment churning in his stomach.
The corridor outside was quiet, the sounds of the classroom muffled by the heavy wooden door. Aqua leaned against the wall, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself. He knew this was just the beginning. His knowledge might have surprised them, but it hadn't earned him any respect—in fact, it had only made things worse. For Lyle, standing out was dangerous. The more capable he appeared, the more others would target him, resentful of his perceived arrogance.
Yet, he couldn't just hide his knowledge. The stakes were too high; his survival in this world depended on understanding its intricacies. If he wanted to change Lyle's fate, he had to navigate this treacherous path, regardless of the obstacles that lay in his way.
As Aqua leaned against the stone wall outside the classroom, trying to process the strange turn his life had taken, he heard the unmistakable sound of laughter echoing down the corridor. He looked up to see two familiar figures approaching him, their steps slow and deliberate, their expressions brimming with disdain.
Lady Cressida Valmont, a high-ranking noblewoman and one of the most influential students at the academy, was flanked by her ever-present servant, Emile, a tall, wiry young man with a sly smirk that matched his mistress's own. Aqua knew their characters all too well. In the game, Cressida held immense sway over the academy's social circle, and her word was practically law. She despised Lyle, seeing him as an arrogant upstart unworthy of his family name, and Emile took every opportunity to mock and provoke him on her behalf. In the original playthroughs, this encounter had always ended badly—Lyle would lash out, humiliated, and his reputation would sink even lower.
Aqua straightened, steeling himself as they stopped in front of him.
"Well, well," Cressida sneered, her voice smooth and venomous. "What a surprise to see you thrown out of class on the first day, Lyle. It's almost as if you're determined to prove everyone right about you."
Her gaze was icy, every word dripping with mockery. Aqua could feel the weight of her disdain, but he forced himself to remain calm. He knew better than to give her what she wanted—a reaction.
Emile stepped forward, his smirk widening. "You know, it's actually impressive. You've only been here a few hours, and already you're causing trouble. Tell me, did you study incompetence as an art form, or does it just come naturally?"
Aqua felt his patience fray, but he forced himself to stay silent, his expression blank. He knew how this scene was supposed to go, but he also knew he couldn't afford to follow that path. This wasn't the game anymore. Every choice he made mattered.
He noticed Emile edging closer, his smirk growing even more smug as he clearly took Aqua's silence as a victory. Finally, Aqua couldn't help himself—he let out a light chuckle.
"Is something amusing, Ravenscroft?" Cressida's eyes narrowed dangerously, her voice laced with irritation.
"Oh, not at all, Lady Valmont." Aqua turned his gaze to Emile, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's just that… your servant here looked a little out of place, hovering so close. For a moment, I didn't recognize him as yours—I thought he might be some creep following you."
Emile's face reddened, his smug expression faltering. Aqua watched as his shock quickly turned to anger, but he maintained a calm, almost indifferent smile.
"What did you just say?" Emile spat, stepping closer, his fists clenched.
Aqua simply shrugged, keeping his tone light and almost bored. "Well, you can't really blame me, can you? A noble lady like Lady Valmont deserves better company, don't you think?"
Cressida's mouth opened, but her words faltered, and Aqua could see a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. She wasn't used to this—Lyle was supposed to be easy to provoke, the perfect target for their mockery. But now he was standing there, calm and unruffled, acting as if they weren't worth his time. It was a shift in power she clearly hadn't expected.
Aqua gave them a polite nod, his expression serene. "If you'll excuse me, I should probably return to my studies. Unlike some, I prefer to spend my time productively."
With that, he turned and walked away, not looking back. He could feel their eyes on him, the shocked silence heavy in the corridor. He knew he'd only bought himself a little time; they wouldn't let this go so easily. But, for now, he felt a small surge of satisfaction. For the first time, he'd managed to avoid the humiliation Lyle had been subjected to so many times before.
As he made his way down the hall, Aqua couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps there was a way to rewrite Lyle's story after all.
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the academy, casting long shadows across the ornate hallways. Aqua found himself standing before the office of the dormitory staff, a sense of unease coiling in his stomach. He had been informed that noble students were entitled to luxurious accommodations, yet the only room offered to him was a cramped, dilapidated space in a forgotten corner of the building.
"Next!" the clerk called out, barely glancing up from her papers. Aqua could see that she wore a bored expression, seemingly unimpressed by his title.
"Excuse me," Aqua said, forcing a polite tone. "I believe there's been a mistake. I'm a noble of the Ravenscroft family, and I was under the impression I'd be allocated one of the better rooms."
The clerk finally looked up, her expression shifting slightly, a flicker of amusement crossing her face. "Oh, yes. You're Lyle Ravenscroft. Unfortunately, all the good rooms are full. You'll have to make do with what we have available."
"Full?" Aqua raised an eyebrow, feeling the anger bubbling beneath his calm exterior. "I find that hard to believe. A school of this caliber should be able to accommodate its noble students, especially one like me."
"Rules are rules," she replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "And unfortunately for you, there's nothing I can do about it."
Aqua clenched his fists, anger mixing with determination. He recalled every secret he'd learned during his time as a player. This woman's arrogance had crossed a line. He could leverage the knowledge he possessed to ensure his standing wasn't so easily dismissed.
"Perhaps there is something you can do," Aqua said, a smile creeping onto his lips, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I understand that the staff has their own little secrets. Unpleasant truths, hidden scandals… Wouldn't it be a shame if they found their way into the wrong hands?"
The clerk's demeanor changed instantly, her eyes narrowing as she leaned closer, the smirk fading from her face. "You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, I absolutely would," Aqua replied, leaning in conspiratorially. "I could share all sorts of delightful stories—like how the last head of the dormitory was caught skimming funds or how one of your colleagues has been selling student records for a little extra cash."
The atmosphere in the office shifted palpably. The clerk's cheeks paled, and Aqua could see the gears turning in her mind, weighing the risks of his threat against the consequences of denying him what he was entitled to. "You're bluffing," she said, but Aqua could hear the tremor in her voice.
"I assure you, I'm not," Aqua said, relishing the power he wielded in this moment. "Now, here's how this is going to work: You'll give me the best available room—the one overlooking the gardens—along with all the amenities suitable for a noble. If not, I'll make sure everyone knows about your little side ventures. I'm sure the board of directors would love to hear about it."
The clerk opened her mouth, then shut it, the reality of the situation dawning on her. After a long moment of silence, she huffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "You think you can just walk in here and threaten me?"
"I don't think. I know," Aqua replied smoothly. "Your choice, really."
With a reluctant sigh, the clerk rifled through the paperwork on her desk. "Fine. I'll see what I can do. But don't think this means I'll go easy on you, Ravenscroft. You're still a brat in my eyes."
"Of course," Aqua said, unable to hide his satisfaction. "But at least I'll be a well-accommodated brat."
With a grunt, she scribbled something on a piece of paper, sliding it across the desk toward him. "Here. You'll have room 205. And don't let it go to your head."
"Thank you," Aqua replied, taking the paper with a smirk. "And just so you know, if I hear about any more of your little schemes, I won't hesitate to use them."
As he turned to leave, he couldn't help but throw a parting shot over his shoulder. "And maybe next time, you should consider treating your noble students with a bit more respect. You wouldn't want to make a habit of ignoring the consequences, would you?"
He strode out of the office, his heart racing with a mix of adrenaline and triumph. It felt good to have taken control of the situation, to have turned the tables on the dismissive staff. Lyle Ravenscroft's story would be different this time; Aqua wouldn't allow him to be pushed around.
As he headed down the hallway toward his new room, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. If he was going to rewrite Lyle's fate, he needed allies—people who could help him navigate the treacherous social landscape of the academy. And with every challenge he faced, Aqua felt more determined to seize the opportunities that lay ahead, ready to shape the future he desired.