The morning bell rang, a sharp, resounding tone that reverberated through the Academy's towering halls. A new day had begun, and with it, the complex web of politics, alliances, and hidden dangers that awaited me.
Isaac was already up and moving when I entered his room, his youthful energy impossible to miss. The Academy's first day orientation had already started, and he was eager to jump into it. I, on the other hand, felt a weight settle on my shoulders—the weight of my duty.
"You're late," Isaac said with a grin, as he adjusted his uniform. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, but I noticed a hint of nervousness beneath it. This was the first real challenge he would face, and he didn't even realize how dangerous it was yet.
"We don't have time for games." I kept my tone steady, refusing to let my own nervousness show. "Get your things. We need to move quickly."
Isaac gave me a confused glance but nodded. "Sure, sure. But I'm looking forward to the orientation. I heard we'll meet some of the other students today."
That was exactly what I was afraid of.
We made our way through the corridors of the Academy, a constant stream of students flowing through the halls. Most were dressed in pristine uniforms, their faces filled with ambition and the burning desire to climb the social ladder. For them, the Academy was a place of opportunity. For me, it was a ticking clock.
We reached the main hall, and the large double doors were flung open to reveal an expansive room. At the front, a group of faculty members stood waiting, and around them were a few other students, all with different expressions.
There were whispers of excitement, murmurs of nervousness. The Academy was a new world for many of these young nobles, and they had no idea what dangers lurked beneath its polished surface. But I wasn't here to make friends or prove myself. I was here to survive.
Isaac, of course, didn't seem to notice the tension in the air. He was busy sizing up the other students, scanning the faces around us with curiosity. The students who were already here seemed to recognize the name "Astoria" with varying degrees of respect, fear, and resentment. It was always the same.
One by one, students were ushered to the front, where they introduced themselves. The hero, of course, would come soon enough, as would his harem. But I wasn't focused on them. My eyes were already scanning the crowd, looking for potential threats, trying to pick up on any hidden motives or alliances.
There were whispers when I stepped forward, my presence drawing attention as I stood at Isaac's side. The Astoria name was infamous—both revered and feared. It was my curse. No one would ever let me just exist in peace. They would see me as an obstacle to Isaac's rise, someone they would have to eliminate sooner or later.
"Ah, Alden Astoria," a voice called out from the faculty. A man in his mid-forties, with dark, greying hair and a sharp gaze, stepped forward. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Your reputation precedes you."
I nodded in acknowledgment, keeping my face neutral. "Likewise."
He seemed pleased with my response, but I could tell he was probing, measuring me with his eyes. The Academy was full of people like him—powerful, calculating, and always looking for weaknesses. It was a game, and I had to stay one step ahead.
Isaac, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, continued to beam at the students around him. He didn't understand that this wasn't just a school; it was a war, and we were all soldiers in it.
The orientation continued, but my focus never wavered. I kept my gaze sharp, my mind racing through the possibilities of what could happen next. The students here were no different from the rest of the world—self-serving, ambitious, and ready to use anyone who got in their way.
I was just a stepping stone to them. A villain's brother. A minor obstacle.
But that was fine.
As long as I survived.