Chapter - 36 : Miss Me?

(Continuation…)

(The Same Day - Evening)

(Rai' POV)

Man, I am really tired.

–*sigh

Just how low did I plunge to feel this worn out after just four hours of lectures?

Haha…

A tired chuckle escaped my lips.

I shook my head, giving myself a silent pep talk in my mind.

Get a hold of yourself, Rai.

You've already conquered(:graduated) this endeavor once, as Rohith, so it shouldn't be a huge issue to do it all over again.

On top of that, it's only the first day of the Academy.

Still, as I navigated the corridors, a sense of reminiscence struck me.

No matter the world, the first day at school always followed the same pattern.

A few minutes wasted(:spent) on introductions, followed by an endless stream of lectures. Rinse and repeat for the next three sessions.

Overall, it was nothing noteworthy.

But unlike me, I guess most folks might still be excited about it.

Take David, for instance.

I cast a glance in David's direction, the sharp difference from my own exhaustion striking.

He'd been going on and on about his first day with Kavir, who responded as minimally as a brick wall.

I couldn't help but smile wryly.

I would love nothing more than to head straight for my dorm room right now.

But there were loose ends to tie up before that could happen.

And if my memory serves me right, there was a week left until our Combat class.

A day that turns the whole Academy upside down.

…at least for the first-years.

And believe me when I say this, that day is gonna be a really long and tiring one, not just for me but for the entire first-years.

"Kavir, finish the task I assigned to you.

"I will go by myself from here on."(Rai)

I instructed, my tone carrying an air of finality.

"Yes, Your Highness."(Kavir)

Kavir replies, walking off.

I'm glad he came to terms with it and accepted his fate.

However, if only the reason behind his acceptance was something else, I would have been even more happy about the current situation.

But alas, a certain someone has to come in and give free advice to the wrong person in the wrong place.

"Hey Rai, I think I also have some work to do.

"So, I'm going to head out for now."

David interjects next.

"Hmm…

"Just don't push yourself too hard, Jack."(Rai)

I respond, my expression reminding him to be thoughtful about what he is doing.

With that, I set off towards the Houses Block, where the recruitment process is in full swing and Rosalind is also present there.

The area is bustling with Students walking here and there, but those people are mostly here to meet the potential recruits of the Houses below Rank Six.

As I continued away from the crowd, someone noticed my presence.

And the attitude he carries is definitely of a Noble.

"Student Rai Karnal, are you considering joining our House?"

Hm? Is he here to mock me?

…but seeing his approach, he seems genuine.

He also looks kind of familiar too.

"Who are you?"(Rai)

I inquire, squinting as I try to place his face, but I'm coming up empty.

But I don't think he is one of the prominent characters.

"You don't recognize me."(???)

He looks perplexed by my response.

"I can't be expected to remember every Extra, now can I?"

Damn, did I actually say that out loud?

"Extra..."(???)

My bad. That was a bit harsh, and I didn't mean to be so dismissive, man.

"It seems rumors have been circulating about you being a delinquent ar–"(???)

Maybe not. I shouldn't have held back.

"Yeah, well, I am out of here."(Rai)

I cut him off before he could say anything more and made my exit.

I have seen guys like him plenty today.

It's true, though.

There are rumors going around that I am a delinquent with a hair-trigger temper.

And I have got to admit, whoever's spreading these rumors is helping me a lot.

Most people are actively avoiding me, but there are a handful, like that noble from earlier – who seem intent on making things difficult.

.

Disregarding the scene that just played out with me, I reached a more refined section reserved for the top six Houses.

The place was less crowded, with only a select few students in sight.

The candidates who Ranked among the top six were clearly afforded more spacious accommodations and better treatment than those positioned below them.

Although it might appear unjust to others, the reality is that it's indeed an unfair setup.

What were you expecting? Something different?

It is already fortunate for many that there is no bias against Nobles and Commoners.

Ultimately, it is what it is, and we can't do anything about it.

They were ranked above you because of your incompetence to do better than them, which led them to have privileged treatment over you.

The whole point of the Academy is to show the harsh truth of this world to the Students without any sugar counting.

However, I still call that bull sh*t!

Because the Entrance Test is not something that can even be cleared without proper training.

Though the Commoners could get a Sponsor if they were talented, one also needs to remember that–

–Talent isn't something that just falls out of the sky–

It requires constant honing and refinement of Skills.

Meaning that even if One Possesses Talent, not everyone can still afford to reach their peak simply due to a lack of accessible resources.

So in the end, whoever made it was still mostly Privileged.

All this nonsense was created because–

One just can't settle in and acknowledge the fact that they are indeed Privileged.

In my view, when one receives a Privilege, they should just embrace it.

.

Soon I directed myself to the location where I learned Rosalind was busy with the House establishment work.

As I approached the room, the door was closed, and there was a bord sign hanging on it indicating-

-'Do Not Disturb'-

I, however, ignored the sign and was about to knock on the door-

–*tap!tap!

-Stopped when I heard footsteps reaching the door from inside.

I instinctively took a step back, waiting patiently for a few seconds.

–creak!

And as I expected, the door creaked open, confirming my anticipation and revealing a figure on the other side.

"...Lord Rai Karnal. You are here?

"I apologize for the delay if you've been waiting."(Maya)

Maya's voice carried a respectful tone as she greeted me, expressing her apologies.

"Hello, Maya.

"I literally just got here and was about to knock, but you beat me to it.

"No need to be sorry."(Rai)

I replied in a reassuring tone.

"I thank you for your understanding, Lord Rai Karnal."(Maya)

"By the way, are you on your way somewhere?"

I took a moment to inquire.

I know I just happened to be outside the door right when she was heading somewhere.

"Yes, Lord Rai Karnal. Please excuse me.

"However, Lady Rosalind is currently present inside."(Maya)

Maya explained.

"Nah, never mind. Just go about your business as she asked for."(Rai)

I said waving off her explanation.

"Understood."

Maya acknowledged with a nod before walking off from my way.

–thud!

Closing the door, I entered the brightly lit rooms.

–tap!

I continued walking, the sound of my footsteps echoing as I made my way to another room beyond the waiting area.

"Hey, Viviana, I am finally here. Miss me?"(Rai)

I called out in a teasing tone, finding her figure.

"No. Not really."

Viviana's response was immediate, with a touch of bluntness.

But it looked fake. How many times did she practice?

Knowing her, I brushed off her immediate rejoinder and moved closer.

She was sitting on a luxurious and comfy-looking chair with a table in front of her with pulped rags, which are used as an alternative to paper.

With full focus, she slowly checked them one by one with a pen in her hand to sign on them.

The pile was thicker and larger than a typical stack of papers.

"Hoh, Viviana. You look damn tired."

I remarked as I settled into the seat opposite her, a table between us.

"Just reviewing the House applications."

She responded without even looking at me while still processing the documents.

Well, at least she is responding to my questions, right?

"House applications, huh?"

I commented casually, leaning my head back against the wooden chair.

…

?!...

After a moment of silence, when I turned towards her again, my eyes landed on the round glasses she was wearing while reviewing the forms.

The golden frame around the glasses complimented her golden eyes.

In that moment, a word involuntarily sprang to mind-

…she looks–

Beautiful…

"...Is there something wrong, Rai?"

Breaking my reverie, Viviana spoke up.

However, her head still hung downward, engrossed in reviewing the lists.

…did she sense my gaze?

"I am just here to see if you need any help?"

I shifted, not wanting to make her lose focus.

"You? Helping?"

For the first time since I entered the room, Vivina looked at me, raising an eyebrow with a touch of sarcasm.

"Come on, I am one of your House members."

I responded with a wink, undeterred by her tone.

"You are?"(Rosalind)

.

(To be continued…)

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