Months passed, and finally, Rou stood at the massive gates of the Silver Phoenix Academy. His heart raced, a mixture of dread and reluctant excitement coursing through him. This was it—the place he had despised for so long. The academy where everything would shift, where the path of the protagonists would unfold, where the ridiculous drama of the otome game would reach its starting climax.
His hand clenched at his side, his thoughts darkening with every step. Rou could almost hear the screeching of the airheaded protagonists, the overly-dramatic love triangles, the convoluted political struggles that were sure to plague the halls. The image of the academy from the game, filled with overly-dramatic characters and tedious interactions, loomed large in his mind. He wanted to burn the place to the ground.
Rou:
[Ugh... I can't believe I have to be here. This place... it's where everything falls apart.]
Yet, as he stood there at the gates, looking up at the towering stone walls and the ornate archways that framed the entrance, something unexpected happened. His gaze softened, and he couldn't help but admire the sheer scale and beauty of the academy. The gates themselves were carved with intricate designs, and the marble pillars supporting the archways glistened in the sunlight, reflecting a pristine image of grandeur. The buildings beyond were just as impressive, with tall spires and banners waving gently in the breeze.
Rou:
[… Huh.]
For a moment, the bitterness in his chest faltered. He couldn't deny that the academy's architecture was… something else. Imposing, yes, but also awe-inspiring in its own way. It was like a fortress of knowledge, its sheer presence demanding respect.
Despite his hatred for everything that happened here in the game, Rou couldn't help but feel a fleeting sense of admiration for the craftsmanship of the place. He hadn't expected the reality to be so much more... real.
Rou:
[Guess the academy isn't all bad. But still, I'd rather be anywhere but here.]
With a final glance at the gates, Rou pushed forward. He had no choice but to follow this path—whether he liked it or not.
As he walked inside the hallways, some of the students began looking a him because of his features mainly being a demi-dragon. Rou was getting embarrassed although he kept a poker face and continued along. As he was about to enter the faculty office, someone suddenly came out of the room. Rou's face twitched with a mix of nostalgia, annoyance, and a deep sense of disappointment.
Leonhart Ashford, a tall and strikingly handsome young man with platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. He had an air of arrogance about him, and his refined posture immediately caught the attention of those nearby. He was one of the heroine's love interests, a character Rou had known all too well from the game.
He couldn't believe that Leonhart was just as he remembered: a perfect, idealized knight in shining armor, one of the idiots who stood at the center of the heroine's affection in the original game. His presence here only solidified Rou's distaste for the academy and the role it played in the heroine's love life.
Leonhart noticed Rou's intense gaze and tilted his head slightly. His smile, though polite, had a trace of mockery.
Leonhart:
[Well, well... If it isn't a demi-dragon]
Leonhart said smoothly, his tone dripping with casual amusement.
Leonhart:
[I wasn't expecting to see someone like you around here. This is an academy for future knights, not... whatever you are.]
Rou clenched his fists, feeling the old irritation bubble up inside him, but he forced himself to remain calm, keeping his poker face intact as he stepped past Leonhart and into the faculty office.
As Rou showed his ID (Given to him by Alistair) to the teacher and asked where he was assigned, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
Teacher:
[You're assigned to Class 1-A. It's down the hall, third door on your left]
Rou nodded absently and turned towards the direction, but as he walked, he couldn't shake the sense of dread creeping up on him. He had been trying to avoid this exact situation — being placed in the same class as the heroine's love interests. But as he arrived at the door and peeked through the crack, his heart sank as he saw them gathered inside. The five main love interests. The ones who would complicate everything.
He stepped into the room, his eyes scanning over the familiar faces, each one drawing up memories of the game.
Leonhart Ashford, the ever-polished noble with the platinum blonde hair, was seated near the front, leaning back in his chair with an air of lazy arrogance. He flashed Rou a quick, knowing smile.
Prince Caelum Voss, the crown prince of the kingdom and the main love interest of the story, sat at a desk near the center of the room. His raven-black hair was neatly combed, and his expression was one of calm authority, though there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes as he glanced at Rou. His regal presence made him the undeniable center of attention, and he had a certain charm that made everyone around him naturally gravitate toward him.
Elias Montgomery, the serious and somewhat brooding young man with dark brown hair, sat next to the prince. He was the son of a high-ranking military family, with sharp eyes that seemed to constantly assess his surroundings. He rarely spoke, but when he did, it was always calculated. His reputation as a stoic and disciplined individual preceded him.
Damien Evercrest, the charming and flamboyant noble with silver hair, was lounging casually by the window, his posture lazy but his smile infectious. Known for his wit and charm, Damien was often the one to make people laugh, though Rou had always found him a bit too insufferable. He was the type of person who could easily manipulate a room with his charisma, which Rou despised.
And finally, Sebastian Drell, the quiet and mysterious one. His soft black hair framed his face, and he often kept to the shadows, observing with a calculating gaze. Sebastian had a cold, distant air about him, and many wondered what his true intentions were. He wasn't as openly charismatic as the others, but there was an unsettling aura around him that drew attention.
Rou's heart sank as he realized that, despite his best efforts, he had been placed right in the middle of the chaos. This was where all the drama and entanglements were going to unfold. These were the very people who would make Elise's life difficult, and now he was going to be forced to share a room with them.
As the teacher gestured for him to take a seat, Rou couldn't help but think to himself-
Rou:
(I'm surrounded by these idiots...)