Chapter 3: St. Cleveland Academy

It's been a week since my sixteenth birthday. In that week, My parents were required by law to send me to St Cleveland Academy on Scholarship.

"Remember Arthur! If you want to continue your education, pursue high grades! We don't have the money to send you to school." Catrine lectured sternly.

"Yes Mother, I promise."

I have money though, I made a fortune because of the Otto War.

Reuben dropped me and my luggage bags off In the capital before returning immediately.

With a single satchel, sword and two hand-carried suitcases, a sixteen year old Arthur ventured out into the capital.

He was wearing a gold and yellow suit with matching slacks, leather shoes, a white buttoned shirt and a green tie.

I have some money left over from my travel expenses, it might be a good idea to withdraw some at the bank. 567 Cen is too little.

This world might be technologically behind, Magic makes up for it. In a way, you could say this world is ahead of earth.

Arthur entered the bank. The wood was polished and the clerks were dressed in their black and white uniforms.

Arthur walked up to the female desk clerk. "Good Morning Sir, How may be of service?" She asked.

"Good afternoon. Miss, I would like to withdraw from my account."

The Clerk nodded. She procured a pale blue Orb from her desk.

[ Orbs ] are magic tools that perform the programed results.

"Dear Customer, Please put your hand on this [ Accounting Orb ]" Arthur Complied.

Arthur read the number projected within the Orb

[Account #29667289]

Balance: 257,903 Cen

"How much would you wish to withdraw?"

"7,500 Cen"

The clerk watched the balance number decrease.

[Account #29667289]

Balance: 252,403 Cen

She removed the Orb from Arthur's hand and returned it back into her drawer.

"I will return with your withdrawn account."

"Is it possible to have the amount in silver coins?"

"Yes, Dear customer."

She left and returned briefly. In her hands was a medium sized pouch filled with silver coins, as requested.

"Pleasure doing with you, Dear customer."

"Thank you as well."

Arthur tranfered the pouches contents into his Leather pouch before leaving the store.

Thirty-five silver coins. That's enough spending money to last me a month.

[ Platinum coins are worth 5,000 Cen, Gold coins are worth 1,000 Cen, Silver Coins are 500 Cen, Bronze Coins are 100 Cen, Tin coins are 10 Cen and Copper coins are 1 Cen. ]

The school opens today at about ten O'clock. The large grandfather clock in the bank tells me, its thirty minutes past eight.

Arthur signaled for a nearby coachman. A coachman across the street came to him.

"St. Cleveland Academy."

"That would be two bronze."

Arthur paid a silver coin and the man returned three bronze coins. He climbed on and the man started the carriage.

Arthur leaned on the open window, taking in the scenery. The Empress's castle towered over everything in the distance and the people were bustling about happily.

The standard of living is quite high and the prosperous businesses gave many the opportunity to be financially stable. What a great country.

if the Empress has better vassals, people like my family, would've never experienced hardship.

Anyway, I'm quite worried. The Academy from the game was not a only a place of learning but a matchmaking battleground. Another annoying fact, the noble women wouldn't pursue, but the men would giving fierce competition.

This system gave rise to many skirmishes amongst the lower class males.

Since I'm lower class, I doubt that I will be exempt from the drama. Thank whichever deity because there are nicotine cigarettes and alcohol here, because without those, I might go bananas. It just hit me on how life sucks for everyother guy alive.

"We're here sir."

The horse's galloping stop and Arthur jumped off the carriage. He looked around to see the Academy still a block away. "We're still far of, what do you mean here?"

"Common carriages are not allowed past this point. I'm sorry sir."

Arthur gave a irritated sigh. "I understand. Thank you for the ride."

"Then I wish you good luck, young one, that academy is a den of wolves."

Damn staright.

After fastening the cloth wrapping his sword, Arthur carried on his back. Checking the satchel's contents, Arthur gave a content sigh.

Everything's here. The suitcases didn't loose weight at all so it's fine.

"Uhm... Good afternoon! H-How do you do?"

Arthur turned to the sweet voice. I thought the voice actors nailed the voice but goddamn does it sound much more angelic in person.

"Good afternoon." was Arthur's short reply. "And I'm fine. You?"

Evangeline was taken back by the relaxed reply. "Oh uhm, I am fine. May I walk together with you?"

Arthur nodded but before her could reply–

...[ New Mission : Escort Evangeline to...

...St. Cleveland Academy ]...

...[ Difficultly: Very Easy! ]...

...[ Rewards: Favorability +1% ]...

...[ Do you accept? Yes/No ]...

A familiar Icon appeared on top of Evangeline's head.

...[ Favorability 0% / Status: Staranger ]...

Arthur snapped out of his daze. "Sure"

Evangeline brightened. "Okay~"

...[ Mission Accepted! ]...

Arthur and Evangeline walked in comfortable silence.

What the ****? What are there in game notifications?! I thought I'm a side character? Okay, Arthur, calm down. You can do this.

"S-So may I know your name?" Evangeline asked, breaking the silence.

...[ Bonus Event! ]...

Arthur looked at her. "Arthur."

Evangeline brightened up in shock. "You're Arthur? The Knight from last month's promotion ball?" She gasped.

"Yes I am. Preferably, please don't call me Sir, Arthur is just Fine."

"Okayy~"

Evangeline hummed playfully as they walked to the Academy gates. Their was a large crowd gathering by the entrance.

...[ Mission Success! Rewards are being administered! ]...

...[ Favorability with "Evangeline Nightingale" has risen by 1% ]...

...[ Bonus! Because of your friendly small talk, Favorability with "Evangeline Nightingale" has risen by. 01% ]...

...[ Favorability 1.01% / Status: Acquaintances ]...

The mission ended, thank goodness.

Stopping in front of the gate, Arthur gave a tired sigh. In the distance was a very lavishly decorated carriage. Anyone can confidentially say that the person in that carriage is the prince.

Arthur looks beside him to see Evangeline had disappeared. Eyeing the entire crowed, Arthur spots Evangeline trying to squeeze through the crowd and into the waidbeopen gates.

Wait, the prince's carriage, Evangeline walking to school today is Episode one isn't it? Then

[ "Episode 1: Coincidental Meeting" First cutscene is starting... ]

The Golden carriage stopped and the Prince stepped out.

Gold hair, green eyes and a face like that. No doubt about it, he's the prince. The the other spotlight of episode one is–

"Kyaa–"

Thud!

"Owiee..."

–Evangeline trips in front of the prince trying to get to class.

The prince sees Evangeline on the ground and walked to her. "Are you alright?"

This fucker, her knee is bleeding and she looks like she's going to break down in tears. You have the audacity to ask if she's alright?! –

I can't move.

I can't move!!

What the ****?!

This is the first cutscene? Is that why I can't move?!

"Are you alright, Miss?" Prince Albert asks.

Evangeline swallowed her tears. "Y-Yes, your highness. I tripped a little, is all."

"Please Misss Evangeline, please call me Albert. In these grounds, rank does not matter. Now, let's get you to the infermary, shall we?"

Prince Albert kneels down on the ground and he helps rearranging Evangeline's things before carrying them himself. With his free arm, he assists her in getting up and acted as her support.

[ "Episode 1: Coincidental Meeting" First cutscene has ended. ]

I can move now. What the **** was that?

Arthur watched as the Prince assisted her onto one of the benches.

Arthur shook his head and entered the school grounds. As he is about to enter the large doors, he looks back to see Evangeline's hand stretched over wound. Slowly, a faint white light covered her wound and it slowly started to heal.

As expected, the Saintess that helped the empire win the Armageddon War would be this overpowered. She– oh ****. War. Episodes. The attacks.

Arthur walks through the doors and settled in line in front of the concierge. It was a long line

They'll happen!? If it's like the cutscene from earlier, I wouldn't be able to survive. Im a side character now. I'm irrelevant. Meaning the story will continue on even if I'm dead or alive.

I don't want to die. I want to see the ending. I want to live with Mom and Dad. I want– to live a life for myself. Unlike my previous one, this life will be dedicated to me and what I want.

Arthur gave a sigh. "This Line is incredibly long." he murmured.

"Agreed." a male voice added gruffly

The man in front of Arthur turned around. "Names Ethan, yours?"

He had slightly tanned skin and was about an inch taller that Arthur, which is very tall considering Arthur is 5'9

Casual, and clumsy Empirical. A baron from the countryside, like me.

"Arthur, nice to meet you Ethan." Arthur greeted back giving a slight nodd.

"My name is David." The boy in front of Ethan replied.

Formal and strained Empirical. A baron as well.

He had glasses on and was quite serious looking. He seemed like the smart and clumsy type. If Ethan is 6 feet tall, David would be about... 5'7.

"How much longer David?" Ethan asked. David groans. "There are still twenty in front of me, if the clerk is taking 3 minutes with each person, we'll be here for an hour."

Arthur and Ethan groaned.

It's about eight-fifty, give or take, so we're going to cut it close.

By some miracle, Ethan, Arthur and David made it to the auditorium's last three seats, located by the entrance.

"Ugh... I don't want to run ever again." David groaned silently. "Psh, That's why you should train your body too." Ethan scoffed. "I'd much rather train my brain and magic, thank you very much."

Arthur watched as the two were bickering in whispers. It was oddly entertaining.

The speech was pretty basic and the rules were common sense. They also mentioned something about the students being equal and the ranks ineffective in school grounds but everyone knew that was bullshit.

To be continued.

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