Scythia Academy
Scythia Academy is a historic educational institution of the Empire, surpassing 700 years since its establishment. However, the academy of the past was a very different place compared to what it is today.
A thousand years ago, the Ovina Empire conquered the continent. The empire, known for its legendary strength and brilliant generals, achieved this vast conquest.
But the early days of the Ovina Empire were far from smooth, marked by instability and challenges.
Though they succeeded in unifying the continent, the aggressive conquests weakened the empire’s power significantly.
Additionally, bringing together diverse peoples with different languages and customs into a single empire led to widespread confusion and unrest.
Though the lands were now connected, the regions were still fundamentally different countries, making the sudden transformation into a unified empire contentious.
Resistance was inevitable. On top of that, power struggles among loyalists who had been promised significant rewards for their contributions to the unification posed a serious issue.
Unlike today, where the royal authority is overwhelmingly strong, the early empire saw considerable power in the hands of the nobility.
The first emperor of Ovina, Ovina I, had not unified the continent solely through his own strength.
He relied on the support and alliance of many nations to establish the empire. Thus, even as the emperor, he could not outright ignore the opinions of the nobility.
As unresolved issues, previously ignored for the sake of conquest, began to surface, Ovina I faced significant challenges.
Yet, he addressed these decaying and festering problems head-on, implementing numerous policies to strengthen the empire. Scythia Academy was one of these initiatives.
In its early days, Scythia Academy served as a social gathering space for high-ranking nobles and royal heirs.
Under the guise of education, the academy brought together the heirs of various noble families and mixed in the royal heirs.
As a result, the next generation of noble leaders and royal successors naturally formed factions—some aligning with one heir to the throne and others with a rival.
This strategy was designed to divide the previously united noble class into competing factions, preventing them from collectively opposing the royal family.
By simultaneously educating the heirs and keeping the nobility in check, Ovina I’s plan succeeded brilliantly, and the royal authority gradually recovered from this foundation.
After Ovina I’s passing, and by the time Ovina V ascended the throne, the academy had evolved.
Viewing the existing academy as too valuable to leave as merely a social venue, Ovina V formalized it into a proper educational institution.
This shift marked the beginning of Scythia Academy’s transformation into a center of learning.
From basic academics to military training in swordsmanship and archery, as well as studies in magic and spellcraft, the academy began to expand its offerings.
Initially simple in scope, it grew to include diverse disciplines, establishing itself as an excellent facility for nurturing talent.
Although enrollment was initially restricted to high-ranking nobles, it gradually opened to lower-ranked nobles, such as barons.
Today, even commoners with exceptional abilities can receive full scholarships to attend the academy.
“Oh…!”
At the gates of Scythia Academy, a sacred place of boundless learning, Rozaria finally arrived.
The grand entrance, larger than some palaces, was adorned with the emblem of the White Dragon, the symbol of the Ovina Empire. The sheer magnificence of the academy’s main gate left a lasting impression.
“Even Seoul National University or Harvard wouldn’t be this massive…”
“Wow… This is incredible.”
“Finally… I’ve made it here.”
The three individuals, having stepped out of their carriage, couldn’t hide their awe as they gazed upon the breathtaking sight.
A fantasy-world counterpart to Hogwarts, the academy stirred the hearts of modern individuals unaccustomed to the wonders of magic.
“Alright then, since I’m a staff member, I’ll be off.”
“Oh, I’ll get going too. They say there’s a separate gathering place for attendants, right? Bennett, sis!”
“Miss! I’ll see you later!”
“Huh? Oh, uh…”
But it was only for a moment. The group clustered around Rosaria began to disperse, starting with Felix, leaving her standing alone like a duck stranded on Nakdong River, left behind in front of the grand entrance.
“…Tch, I guess I should just go for now.”
Staying here indefinitely was not an option, so Rosaria adjusted the strap of the sniper rifle (which was currently considered a magical staff) slung over her shoulder and started trudging into the academy.
“Wow… there are a lot of people inside.”
Crossing the main gate, she saw students around her age streaming forward.
Their outfits were varied, but the emblem pinned to their chests was the same for everyone. The emblem, engraved with the insignia of a white dragon, symbolized Skitia Academy.
“…But where am I supposed to go?”
As she observed the students and walked absentmindedly, Rosaria soon realized she had been wandering aimlessly without setting a destination.
Felix had explained it to her in the carriage three days ago, but she’d been groggy and drowsy after their meal, so the details had become a blur.
Thus, Rosaria ended up losing her way inside the academy.
“Ugh, isn’t there some kind of map or guide here?”
No matter where she looked, there were buildings—some larger than others. Hoping for a visitor’s guide or a map, she glanced around.
“My, isn’t this Lady Evergarden?”
“Huh?”
Hearing someone call her from behind, Rosaria instinctively turned her head.
“Lady?”
While she had heard herself addressed as “Miss” or “Young Lady” after being reincarnated into this world, “Lady” felt strangely foreign. Still, thanks to the surname “Evergarden” attached to it, she realized they were calling her.
“It’s been a while. This is the first time I’m seeing you since the break.”
Turning her head, Rosaria found a woman standing before her.
A noblewoman whose extravagant dress adorned with frills and accessories, along with her unique rolled-bun hairstyle, caught the eye.
From her attire alone, she seemed to hail from a wealthy noble family, and she was leading other noble ladies behind her with a dignified air.
“But… your appearance is quite something, isn’t it? Where have all those dresses and jewels you used to boast about gone? And to be dressed in something a servant might wear… How refreshing! A lady dressed like a commoner… Haha.”
The noblewoman scanned Rosaria’s attire with a sidelong glance before smirking with a mocking expression.
Lately, Rosaria had eschewed cumbersome dresses in favor of neat, simple clothing and trousers. From her outfit alone, she looked less like a noblewoman and more like a lower nobleman wearing slightly expensive fabrics.
If not for Rosaria’s exceptional appearance, anyone would have mistaken her for a wealthy commoner rather than a noble.
“I heard the count’s family has been struggling recently. I suppose it must be true.”
“Indeed. And trousers, no less… It seems she’s lacking the basics of a proper lady.”
As the lead noblewoman made her scornful remark, the other ladies behind her chimed in with laughter.
“…..”
“Oh my, it’s been so long since we’ve last met, and you’re going to ignore my greeting like this?”
The young lady, energized by Rosaria’s silent response to her mocking words, laughed haughtily while crossing her arms. Behind her, her entourage chimed in with occasional comments, egging her on.
“Uh, excuse me… Who are you, again?”
‘She seems like someone I knew before I transmigrated, but I have no clue who she is! This is so awkward…’
“What…?”
But the reason Rosaria had remained silent was simple.
The young lady before her was acting all familiar, but Rosaria had absolutely no idea who she was.
“Gasp…! This is a total blow to Eileen, isn’t it?”
“She’s pretending not to know her at all…”
“Uh… Ah~ Lady Eileen? Is that right? I’ve been a bit out of it lately. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“You…!”
Hearing Rosaria’s response, which countered her mocking tone with a bewildering indifference, Eileen’s face turned red with embarrassment. Even her entourage, standing behind her, began whispering amongst themselves.
Rosaria had genuinely just asked who she was. However, to Eileen—who had known Rosaria since before her transmigration—it sounded more like, *“Who do you think you are, talking to me? Know your place.”*
“Ha… Ha! Lady Rosaria. You’ve changed so much since before the break, haven’t you? There’s not a shred of dignity left in you. Shouldn’t you be setting an example as a noble?”
“Well, I mean… Do I really have to do that here?”
“What?!”
Eileen tried to recover her composure and continue her taunts, but Rosaria’s casual response, delivered with a sheepish laugh, was the final straw. Eileen’s face twisted with anger, and she let out an exasperated shriek.
Rosaria’s words simply meant, *“Why bother maintaining noble dignity at a place like this, where commoners and nobles mix freely in the academy?”* But to Eileen, it sounded like, *“Why would I bother showing dignity to someone like you?”*
“You! How dare you say that to me?!”
“What’s her problem?”
Having taken two verbal counter-punches in a row, Eileen couldn’t hold back her temper anymore. She stormed up to Rosaria, standing so close that their faces nearly touched, and shouted angrily. Rosaria, for her part, was simply bewildered.
‘Huh. But she really is pretty, I’ll give her that.’
“Um… It’s a bit overwhelming… Could you take a step back, please?”
“Overwhelming…?! Are you saying I smell bad or something?!”
Although Rosaria had been in a woman’s body for some time now, her soul was still that of a single man through and through. Eileen’s provocative dress, especially the daring neckline, was already distracting enough. But now that she was standing so close, Rosaria felt uncomfortable and instinctively took a step back.
Eileen, however, completely misunderstood this reaction and, now consumed by rage, yelled even louder, as if she might attack at any moment.
“L-Lady Eileen…! There are too many eyes on us here. Let’s step back for now!”
“Yes, yes! That’s a good idea! If you keep arguing here, you’ll just dig yourself deeper!”
“…Fine. Very well. I’ll let this go for now. But mark my words! You’ll regret this, Lady Evergarden!”
Noticing that the growing commotion was drawing the attention of onlookers, Eileen’s entourage hurriedly pulled her back. She took a deep breath, glared at Rosaria with a look that could kill, and shouted fiercely.
“Let’s go. Hmph!”
With that, Eileen and her group strutted away, their backs radiating indignation. Rosaria could only stand there, staring blankly at their retreating figures.
“Ah! I should have asked where to go.”
Then, she suddenly realised that she had forgotten to mention the most important part.