Chapter 19: Arcana I (part 1)

Over three years have passed since I was possessed by this world.

All the incidents that occur in “She Heals a Wounded World” began this year.

Some events have already been prevented, but they were minor ones—incidents that could be handled externally.

After all, I don’t know everything.

“Young Master.”

“Oh, Noel. Thank you.”

All nobles who turn seventeen enter Arcana Academy the following March.

So, I enrolled at Arcana this year as well.

The core subjects are swordsmanship and magic. Additional classes are assigned based on academic performance.

Liberal arts subjects—history, politics, economics, and etiquette—are integrated and do not require separate registration.

Naturally, the top student in the entrance exams was the crown prince, followed by Reina.

Just like in the original story.

I placed seventh, missing sixth place by only three points.

That was thanks to the help I received from my older brother, Lucal.

“Then I’ll be off, Master, Madam.”

“Noel, take care of Ike.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Ike, do your best.”

“Yes, Father.”

After saying goodbye to my parents, I closed the carriage window.

Noel talked a bit more with my mother before climbing into the driver’s seat.

Arcana is a full-boarding academy.

Until graduation, we’re only allowed to return to Arcadia during vacations.

Not that anything particularly exciting happens in Akkad.

“Woh!”

With Noel’s cheerful shout, the wagon wheels began to roll slowly.

I watched the streets of Akkad drift past, then pulled the curtains shut.

***

It took four days to reach Reinen, the territory where Arcana Academy is located.

During the journey, Noel and I didn’t stop in any other cities.

We camped along the way, securing food and lodging as needed.

I’d felt it before, when I came here for the entrance exam, but long camping trips are more mentally draining than physically.

Starting tomorrow, the original story will begin in earnest—right alongside our academy life.

I’m not particularly proud of it, but I think I’ve done my best so far.

So, it’s okay to take a break today.

“Haah…”

I threw myself onto the dormitory bed without hesitation.

As soon as Noel finished unpacking my things, she returned to Akkad.

Arcana doesn’t allow students to bring servants—not for any grand reason.

It’s simply to prevent commoner students, who entered on scholarships, from feeling alienated.

“I’m tired.”

Lying down and staring at the ceiling, I felt it sink in.

It had finally begun.

“Let’s just sleep.”

***

“If you look at it again, it really is huge.”

I’d noticed it during the exam, but Arcana Academy is massive.

With dormitories, lecture halls, and training grounds, it’s larger than most cities’ marketplaces.

Well, in order to maintain its status as the Empire’s top academy, it makes sense.

Still, many nobles grumble—especially those who travel over a week from their homes in order to attend.

Why must everyone come here to study?

Arcana’s overwhelming facilities serve as the Empire’s silent answer.

Constructing another facility of this caliber wouldn’t be easy.

As I walked toward the auditorium, I spotted a familiar figure with jet-black hair.

The moment I considered calling out, she turned around.

“Oh, Young Master Ike.”

“Hello, Miss Helen.”

About three years ago—she was my opponent in the semifinals of the dance competition.

Helen Oberon.

“It’s been almost two months.”

We’ve kept in touch ever since that day.

She’s someone who eventually becomes friends with the female lead.

So I figured staying close wouldn’t hurt.

“What did you choose as your major?” Helen asked.

“Swordsmanship, of course.”

“Same here.”

Of course I chose swordsmanship.

No—perhaps it wasn’t such an obvious choice.

If Reina had chosen magic as her major, I would’ve followed suit.

But just like in the original story, she chose swordsmanship.

Many readers questioned why Reina, who had an innate talent for magic, picked swordsmanship.

According to a side story, she did so because the crown prince majored in swordsmanship. It even mentioned that, had he not been the crown prince, she would have chosen magic.

There was a time I worried Reina didn’t truly love the crown prince.

But fortunately, that part of the story remained unchanged.

She’s probably had a lot going on—things I couldn’t know since we hadn’t met yet.

***

“Silence.”

The entrance ceremony began in the vast auditorium.

The first speaker was Ender Arcana, the dean of Arcana and lord of Reinen.

“Everyone gathered here is a talented individual who will lead the Empire. Even in hardship, you must not break…”

His speech dragged on—a yawningly long and dull affair.

After the dean stepped down, someone else walked up to the podium.

“I am Leon Aegis Astraia, the top student of this year’s entrance class. I look forward to learning with all of you.”

It was the crown prince.

Smiling, he continued:

“As you all know, I am the Crown Prince of the Astraia Empire. However, within these walls, I wish to relinquish that title.”

Murmurs stirred throughout the auditorium.

“This is Reinen—the only autonomous territory exempt from direct imperial rule. Arcana welcomes all students, noble or commoner, so long as they possess the talent and skill. In a place like this, my status is irrelevant.”

It was a commendable sentiment.

But no matter what he says—he’s still the top student this year.