Academy. The Empire’s highest educational institution and a glorious ivory tower.
Gaining admission is extremely difficult, but once you’re in, your life is set on a solid path.
Thus, everyone from commoners to nobles aspires to become a student here.
Today marks the official start of the Academy’s schedule.
Those returning from vacation and those who have passed the entrance exams to become freshmen.
Some exchange greetings with familiar faces, while others shake hands with strangers, building new connections.
The networks formed here will be of great help in the future, so it’s only natural.
Of course, building those networks isn’t easy.
It’s only easier for those who already have it easy.
Those lucky or talented enough to be admitted, like local nobles or commoners.
Especially for freshmen, who know no one, they often find themselves awkwardly passing the time.
“Sigh.”
Maria from Baron Heiner was no exception.
At least she had her younger brother with her.
If it weren’t for her brother, Rick, she would have been standing there like a sack of barley, dazed.
“Rick.”
But she couldn’t just stand in the corner, staring blankly forever.
Maria gently tapped Rick’s shoulder, and he turned to look at her.
“Let’s go. We can’t stay here forever.”
“Ah…”
“As freshmen, we should act like it. We need to greet our peers and seniors.”
“But… is it okay? We’re just from a barony…”
“That’s exactly why we need to step up.”
They weren’t here just to receive an education as students.
The future of their barony rested on their shoulders.
There was so much they needed to gain here.
They were both anxious and worried about how the central nobles would view them.
But they couldn’t afford to shrink back and wait; time was too precious.
“…Let’s go, Rick.”
Maria took the lead, and Rick followed behind.
However, the first person they encountered after mustering their courage was none other than—
“You.”
Talk about bad luck.
It was that girl, Elliot, whom they had bumped into before.
The second daughter of the Viscount Rozena, if she remembered correctly.
One thing was certain: she was above the Baron Heiner .
What made it worse was that she was one of the vassals who served directly under a count.
At the time, her argument had been so illogical that Maria had reacted sharply.
But upon reflection, it was clear that in the world of nobility, such an act would bring no benefit.
Especially since they were now attending the same academy, she couldn’t afford to make things worse.
“…”
Elliot glared fiercely at Maria and Rick.
It seemed like sharp words were about to spill from her lips at any moment.
‘What…??’
But something strange happened.
Elliot remained silent, just glaring.
In fact, she abruptly turned her head away and stepped back.
It was clear that she was conceding her disadvantage and retreating.
What on earth was going on?
As the siblings exchanged puzzled looks, a few students approached them, seemingly having found out about them.
“Excuse me. Are you two from Baron Heiner ?”
“Ah, yes. Greetings, seniors. I’m Maria, and this is my younger brother Rick. We’re new students…”
“It’s really you! You’re really from the Heiner Baron!”
“…?”
As someone said that, a group of second-year students suddenly gathered around.
They asked if they were truly from Baron Heiner , then whispered among themselves, saying things like “lucky them.”
Something felt off.
They weren’t mocking or ridiculing them.
Their voices genuinely sounded surprised, with a hint of awe.
As Maria and Rick looked around, confused by the situation, an announcement echoed through the hall.
“Attention, students. The freshman entrance ceremony will begin shortly. Current students, please return to your seats, and freshmen, please gather in the center.”
This part was normal. But what followed was completely different from before.
“Additionally, there will be an important announcement regarding this semester, so please remain in your seats.“
Those from the great noble families, who had already heard the news, smiled knowingly.
But those who were less informed could only tilt their heads in confusion.
Among them were Maria and Rick.
Has something like this ever happened before?
It was their first time at the academy, but they had never heard of such a thing.
If there was a new announcement, it was usually sent out before the semester began.
If not, it was something minor, communicated through the professors.
“Dear students of the Academy, both current and new, welcome.”
The curiosity was soon resolved as the Chancellor took the podium and began to speak.
“The reason we’ve gathered here today is to share some rather surprising news. Perhaps today’s event will be remembered as a significant moment in the history of the Academy, and even the Empire.”
It wasn’t just anyone speaking—it was the Chancellor himself.
This only heightened the curiosity. What could possibly warrant such a speech?
“Starting this semester, elves will be joining you as fellow students at the Academy.”
“…?”
“…??”
Confusion spread across the faces of the students who hadn’t heard the news.
This was followed by bewilderment and disbelief.
Elves? At the Academy?
Not as professors, but as students?
According to their own words, elves were the most dignified race. What could they possibly lack?
“Recently, a significant step toward peace was taken between the Empire and the Great Forest. This event marks another great leap forward for both sides.”
Until now, the elves had never officially engaged in exchanges with any other nation.
Those who had ventured outside were strictly individuals, not representatives of their race.
But this time was different. The Chancellor emphasized this point.
“Everyone, this is not a result of a few visitors’ requests. Nor is it part of the Academy’s educational program. This was achieved through direct discussions and agreements between the Great Forest’s clans and the Empire.”
The fact that this wasn’t a casual arrangement meant that things would be different from before.
The elves wouldn’t be flaunting their arrogance as they had in the past.
Thus, the students here should avoid provoking them unnecessarily.
As some students quickly grasped the Chancellor’s underlying message, they began whispering among themselves.
“What on earth is going on? Elves? Is this for real?”
“I heard the news just before the entrance ceremony. A large group of elves visited the barony next to the Great Forest. And now they’re coming to the Academy.”
“They’re going to cause trouble, aren’t they? Is this really happening? We just got here, and now these monsters are coming?”
The students’ reactions were naturally skeptical. And negative.
How many incidents had the elves caused during their visits to the Empire?
Only a few forest clans had shown kindness or made contributions worth tolerating.
The Empire couldn’t afford an all-out war with the elves, so they endured.
Meanwhile, both nobles and commoners had grown increasingly wary of the elves.
Once seen as beautiful and noble forest dwellers, they were now just arrogant, long-eared creatures.
Arrogant, disdainful of humans, and believing only elves were great.
There had been elves who taught humans, but never an elf who learned from a human.
Even the elves who had shown some favor toward humans had never gone that far.
And now, suddenly, elves were coming to the Academy as students?
“You heard the Chancellor. This isn’t just a whim of a few elves.”
“The Empire did this. The Empire. Do you understand what that means? It’s already been decided by those above, so as long as we don’t cause trouble, it’ll be fine.”
As some students quickly grasped the situation and accepted it, the hall suddenly grew noisy as a group of people entered.
“Are those… real elves?”
“They are! Are the Elves really coming to the Academy as students?”
In the space that had been left empty, at least ten elves entered.
Unfazed by the murmurs, they simply looked around with curiosity.
“Good heavens…”
Amid the students’ astonishment, Maria was also bewildered.
What did this mean for her homeland?
Was this really a good thing?
Thinking about it, she could understand why that girl Elliot had backed off.
The importance of Baron Heiner within the Empire must have skyrocketed overnight.
“…Are you okay?”
Though shocked, she had to take care of her brother, Rick.
Given their past unpleasant experiences with elves, it was only natural to be concerned.
But when she looked at him, his reaction wasn’t as bad as she expected.
“Sister.”
“Yes?”
“Is this also because of that elf, Tyreal?”
“Huh?”
She was about to say “No way,” but she found herself hesitating.
Now that she thought about it, Tyreal was very different from other elves.
If a strange wind was blowing, she was a likely starting point.