In all honesty, the real reason why the Academy held an alumni competition during every last month of the year was not for fun or pride.
It was marketing.
People that come to watch the matches may be hyped by the action and may end up taking an interest to enroll in the Academy.
So, with today being the final match… it also meant today was the last day of registration.
"I'm off."
"What?"
"I need to go back now."
"Oh, right. Me too. Father's probably pulling his hair out over this whole thing."
"Sure."
"Oh, and… why'd you bought that? We've got way better ones in the inventory. You could've just asked—"
"None of your business."
Lieke grinned like he expected that answer.
"See you then."
They split ways.
Lieke turned right, heading back toward the plaza where the Ael Merchanty stood.
Seven turned left and back toward the inn.
Step.
After more than a minute of walking, he walked past the front of the inn.
The jagged bricks and protruding ledges were still there, same as before. It was the perfect little ladder to his room on the second floor.
But the window…
It was closed.
"…Fudge."
There was only one explanation.
"I got caught."
He remembered leaving that window open before he snuck out, thus that means someone closed it from the inside.
Hff…
Step.
He let out a slow breath and walked through the inn's front door. Right after the inn's attendant greeted him, he walked up through the narrow staircase leading to the second floor.
But the two knights were still posted like stone statues by the room.
One of them noticed.
The younger knight.
"Ah! Young Lord? How did you—"
"I stepped out. The room had no lavatory."
"...Pardon? But I didn't see—"
"You must not have been paying attention."
Step.
He did not wait for a response.
He walked forward, reached for the doorknob, and slipped past the two knights. But just before shutting the door, he paused and glanced sideways.
"You should get some sleep."
"..."
Thud.
The door closed.
Hah…
Inside, Seven leaned back against it with a small sigh.
"I'm safe…"
Or so he thought.
Because sitting at the desk with arms crossed and behind a maid's uniform was Iria.
"Young. Lord."
Iria said, word by word.
"Where. Have. You. Been?"
"..."
But instead of replying, he smiled.
After all, Iria seemed to be no longer concerned about what happened back in the exiled mansion. Her poison.
She acted just as she was when he first arrived in this world.
"Young Lord!"
Iria pouted and tilted her head with exaggerated drama as she pressed a finger to her cheek. Her lips were also pursed tight that looked comically like a chicken's butt.
"Are you ignoring me?
"Young Lord.
"Young—"
"Here."
He tossed a beige fedora hat towards her.
After all, he needed to lighten up the mood since it was kind of awkward.
"So, uhh… you seemed down recently. That should cheer you up, …I suppose."
"I…"
She caught the fedora.
After a few seconds, she finally smiled and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Thank you, Young Lord."
She stood up, carefully placed the fedora on her head, and made her way to the door.
Seven stepped aside without saying anything.
But just as she reached the handle of the door, she paused and turned her head slightly
"Oh, and Young Lord…"
She looked over her shoulder.
"Please prepare yourself. As your personal maid, it's my duty to make sure you don't miss registration.
"We're going to the Academy later."
Thud.
The door closed.
Now alone in his room, Seven walked over and sat on the bed.
'Retrieve: Pills'
He thought.
As he did, a soft flash of light blinked in his palm, and a small jar filled with colored pills appeared in his hand.
***
An hour later…
Seven walked along the sidewalk, flanked by two knights and a maid trailing just behind him. That alone was enough to make people stare.
"Who's that noble brat?"
"Knights from the Hart Household? Never seen that kid before."
"Is he even healthy enough to walk?"
The murmurs followed him in every step.
Seven frowned.
Sure, his body was still on the frail side but he was not all skin and bones anymore, given that he had built up a decent amount of strength and muscle since coming here.
Still, the stares were not because of him.
The two knights that insisted on tailing him like bodyguards.
And Iria.
If only they did not follow him…
"Fudge. I told you, I can go alone."
"No can do, Young Lord. This wouldn't even be a problem if you just agreed to use the carriage."
The two knights added,
"Impossible, Young Lord. It is our duty to ensure your safety and—"
"Yeah, yeah."
He cut them off.
"Just don't follow me past the Academy gates."
"As you wish, Young Lord."
The knights responded.
Iria only pouted with lips pursed like she wanted to argue. But she stayed quiet.
Step. Step.
Minutes later, they arrived.
Before them loomed the most prestigious and the only institute on the continent.
The Academy Institute of Othrelis.
A vast structure of stone and grandeur that was built atop a natural rise that overlooked the city like a zenith surveying the nadir.
Marble halls rose into sharp and elegant spires and each was topped with enchanted glass that shimmered in faint prismatic hues beneath the daylight.
Encasing the academy grounds were obsidian walls and gate.
In the center of the gates rested the crest of Othrelis: a white crescent moon veiled behind a jagged mountain formed by a pair of black swords.
The path that led to the gates was paved with zaen-tempered blackstone tiles, known to absorb heat and enhance one's internal flow of zaen with every step.
On either side of the pathway were floating lamp posts that stood in perfect symmetry.
Young nobles in tailored cloaks, commoners in humble gear, even cloaked figures whose identities remained masked.
Despite their different origins, all shared the same purpose:
To register their name and earn the right to undergo the entrance examinations.
Step.
Seven stopped at the foot of the gate.
"Stay here."
He said without looking back.
"Prepare a carriage for the return trip."
Iria let out a sigh and the knights bowed in unison.
"As you wish, Young Lord."
Right after, he ran his hand through his hair.
'I'd rather puke from the ride than deal with all the stares again.'