21 Chapter 21

Not too long after turning to my suite, Adeline approached me with a digital pad thing. It was like an iPad but transparent. Something you'd see in Sci-fi movies, I could click on icons and play games, and still, the background was transparent. Truly the pinnacle of technology of this era, if I had to say.

Though my thoughts were wandering as per usual. I sent a questioning look her way. She pressed a button and Lord Folduin's face appeared on the transparent screen. I let out a slight gasp and grinned at the man.

"Lord Folduin!" I exclaimed, happy to talk to one of the first Galians I've met.

He gave me a soft smile, "Greetings, Emperor Sebastian."

I returned his greetings.

"So, I'm here to check in and inform you of future plans. As I explained during our tutor lessons, we follow the same week as the other side of the tear, which is very convenient. The Academy will begin classes in a little under two weeks, giving very little time to prepare accordingly."

I nodded, swallowing down a nervous lump. It'd start soon, and to say that I was excited would be an understatement. To say that I was nervous would be an even larger understatement.

"Team Sixteen will be playing the Nobles of a different family that supports you. Luckily, the Academy arranged for your group to share a suite together so they will be able to get to you if anything happens."

It was really comforting knowing that my friends would be close with me, and it'd definitely make this a bit more enduring. I felt the excitement well up more in me. Maybe Kirieal would invite me to her room. Maybe we'd get to know each other a little better.

I shook my head and slapped my softly slapped my cheeks to get my mind back on track. Both Adeline and Folduin were looking at me curiously, though Adeline a bit more concerned with her head tilted.

"Go on," I said ignoring their questioning looks.

Folduin coughed into his hand, "Yes, anyway, Count Syldi has made the arrangements for your uniform from the Academy as well as any other supplies you may need. You won't have to worry about lacking anything you may need."

I hadn't actually thought about that. Was starting a new Academic year like going back to school? Shopping for backpacks, grabbing several packs of lead pencils that use 5.7 lead, and going clothes shopping. Did any schools around here do that?

I chuckled at my thoughts. I knew I'd continuously make comparisons between my old world and this new one. I'd be on the lookout for new details, similarities, and differences. I don't even think I'd be doing it for any reason other than just to do it. If I had to guess, it added a bit of stability to me. All of this mess continued to go even further south, becoming even more confusing and mentally taxing.

Ah, I was getting off-topic again. I redirected my attention back to Folduin who was explaining more, I missed a bit of the beginning of it but I don't think it was important.

"-will need to adapt to the training regime of the Academy, we'll also need to get you a bit more into shape. Otherwise, you'll be fine."

I nodded as if I had been listening to him the whole time. I'd need to focus on concentrating more at the task at hand. It'd be hard, but possible. Maybe I can ask Adeline for any tips to it.

"Ah, moving on, it's about Allen." Folduin saying that had completely caught my attention.

He grinned at me suddenly, "He has woken up. He's resting a bit more now but the doctor has given you permission to talk with him sometime either tomorrow or the day after. Kind of funny that the doctor is giving you permission, don't you think?"

I chuckled at what I wasn't sure if it was a joke or not but I had to. I felt really excited now. Allen was awake and I could talk to him about this mess. I look forward to explaining to him about the battle I fought in and telling him about Adeline.

Well, now I was sure I'd have trouble sleeping tonight.

"That's fine, I don't mind waiting a few more days to talk with him. But you may have just made it impossible for me to sleep tonight," I said, smirking at the man.

He slowly shook his head on the screen, it displaying every frame effortlessly, "Don't worry, we have ways to help you sleep better. They're more reliable than the ways from your part of the world."

Yeah, the ways from my part of the world sucked. Most of them didn't even work, at least for me.

I said nothing in response to him, just opting to go for a single nod.

He returned it and asked, "So how do you like Count Syldi?"

I leaned back against the couch I sat on. Adeline had just set a warm cup of tea down on the coffee table beside it, I reached over and grabbed the cup. My thoughts scrambled together a reply as I took a sip of the tea.

"He seems to be an honorable man," That was my impression of him. The Count was good-natured, as far as I could tell. And he's only been good to me. I don't want to set myself up for him to backstab me, so I will remain wary of him. After all, I barely knew the man, and he was a member of Nobility. Granted it is nobility that I know nothing about, but if movies and anime from our part of the world have taught me anything. It's that you never trust a majority of the nobles.

After that, our conversation ended soon. With a promise to talk again the next day, the call ended.

I got up from the comfortable embrace of the couch and retired to my room for some studying. I'd skim through the history books, taking notes of events that I thought were important. According to Folduin, a tutor to help me get a basic idea of Galian history was being assigned to assist me tomorrow. I had to say that I was quite interested, I'd always had a growing interest in history. At least, I did in my part of the world.

I don't think it'd be any less here. Adeline made sure I had an ample supply of snacks and tea as I continued my thirst for knowledge throughout the night.

Soon after, I retired to the second bed that I've slept in since I was at home.

***

The next morning flew by pretty fast.

I awoke, showered, got dressed, and had breakfast with Count Syldi and his wife. They promised they'd teach me more about Galia and tell me interesting stories later. It was inspiring and thrilling. The food was good as always, no complaints there.

I don't think I've actually had bad food since I left America.

And it really resembled food from where I came from, nothing too different. Bacon, eggs, gravy and sausage, biscuits, and hashbrowns. Each one adding a whole new flavor to my already watering mouth. I could tell I'd really enjoy my time in this country. I wonder if they had potato soup. If not, I'd see about getting it to be a trend here.

After breakfast, I met with Zurlian, who I hadn't seen since I got off the dropship. He informed me that the Count had allocated him a dueling area for us and that he'd be training me in combat.

Luckily for me, Adeline had brought my weapons, I sure as hell forgot all about them.

The training was brutal. I swung, jabbed, and tried my very best to break Zurlian's defenses. He didn't even break a sweat as we fought. And before I knew it, we had attracted a crow of the Count's Knights and regular soldiers.

They said nothing as we dueled, and I was starting to get nervous. No encouragements, no jeers, just the clashing of our weapons.

I guess they saw my skill with the weapons and chose to keep quiet.

I know several of the Knights were kind to me and I hope they accepted me. I don't know if racism really existed in this country, but for me it was a real concern.

I sighed as I dropped down in the dirt on my butt as we just finished a bout.

Adeline approached me with a towel in one hand and a water bottle in the other.

"Well done, Your Imperial Majesty." She said with an encouraging smile.

I mustered what I could and smiled back, I was just too exhausted to do anything else. I took the towel and water bottle from her and wiped myself down while occasionally chugging the water.

I was just starting to stand when one of Count Syldi's men approached me.

"Sir Sebastian, would you care for a clash with me?"