The sun was already climbing higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over the academy’s pristine white marble paths as Orion walked confidently toward the Main Building.
Looking ahead, he saw the central plaza coming into view, filled with students heading in all directions. Groups broke off toward the dormitories to the northeast and northwest, while others went westward toward the combat fields.
Some newcomers glanced at their maps from time to time with furrowed brows, trying to find locations.
Orion, in contrast, looked completely relaxed, walking calmly on the pathway. His eyes occasionally shifted toward different paths and structures, matching them to the map he held loosely in one hand.
However, the crowd’s whispers followed after him.
"That’s him... the one with four affinities," a girl in red robes murmured to her friend, her voice filled with awe.
"Did you see how shocked the teachers were when he revealed his four affinities? That was a sight to behold." Another student excitedly whispered to her friend while clutching her own badge tightly.
A noble-born boy, wearing the sigil of a Viscount House on his shoulder, clicked his tongue with an exaggerated sigh. "Tch, show-off. Just another spoiled noble. See him crumble down when he can’t live up to all that talent."
Orion didn’t even glance back.
’Heh... burn with jealousy, you mediocre idiots,’ he thought with a smirk, flipping the map in his hand just for show.
He wasn’t even using it now, as he had already memorized the important locations. All that mattered now was reaching the Main Building and attending the opening ceremony.
But just as he reached the edge of the central garden path that led directly into the grand academy building, a familiar voice called out from his right.
"Wow, Brother Orion! You look like a prince!"
Orion turned, raising an eyebrow.
Arya stood there with stars shining in her eyes as she stared at Orion’s figure. She was dressed in dark violet academy robes tailored for herself. Her long hair was tied in a sleek braid over one shoulder.
Orion chuckled, "My maids wanted me to look proper on my first day at the academy. So they went the extra mile to prepare me."
Beside her stood Emilia, still staring at Orion warily with a spear in her hand. She didn’t speak—just like last time. Yet there was a faint twinkle in her eyes looking at the current Orion.
Arya softly giggled and nodded her head, "Well, they certainly know what they’re doing. You look absolutely handsome with that hairstyle and those clothes."
"I’ll make sure to tell them that the Royal Princess liked how they dressed me." He dramatically bowed like a noble while smiling.
Arya chuckled and softly hit his shoulder, "No need to act so dramatic in front of me."
Emilia continued to silently stare at him and Arya’s interaction.
[Hmmm, he looks handsome today—nearly as good as the Princes from those Empires. His bearing is really out of this world. Why don’t you try to marry him, girl? Maybe you’ll have a bright future.]
’Shut up. I don’t need to marry anyone to have a bright future.’ Emilia shot her down without thinking.
[Tsk, you’re not wrong either. After all, you have my venerable self.]
They continued to bicker inwardly as Arya stepped closer and motioned for him to walk with them. "Come on. The ceremony’s starting soon. The Vice Deans will be giving speeches, and I don’t want to be stuck standing at the back of everyone."
"Who would dare to deny you front row seats?" Orion said, chuckling.
As the three of them walked together down the wide central path, the surrounding students couldn’t help but stare again—this time not just at Orion, but at the trio as a whole.
"Wait... is that the princess?"
"Who’s that with her?"
"Don’t tell me he knows both of them?"
"He’s from the Helstrom family, so maybe that’s why they know each other."
However, the trio ignored the surrounding voices and continued heading down the main path toward the Main Building while chatting and laughing together.
Orion glanced at Emilia and curiously asked, "Why doesn’t she speak much? She acts like a statue all the time."
Arya placed a hand on her lips and giggled softly, "Hehe, she’s just like that with others. She speaks quite freely when it’s just the two of us."
Orion shook his head, while Emilia didn’t say anything. Soon, the three of them entered the Main Building as Arya led them toward the auditorium.
As Orion, Arya, and Emilia stepped into the auditorium, they were greeted by a grand scene that immediately captured their attention.
The auditorium itself was nothing short of breathtaking. Massive crystal chandeliers suspended from the ceiling showered soft, magical illumination down onto rows upon rows of seats arranged in a semicircle.
At the center of the auditorium floated a platform with two large statues of armored knights holding banners displaying the proud insignia of Thunderpeak Royal Academy.
Hundreds of students had already taken their seats, their murmurs forming a continuous, excited hum throughout the hall. Upon noticing Orion, Arya, and Emilia, whispers surged once again, turning into barely concealed exclamations.
"Look! Isn’t that Princess Arya?"
"Forget her, who’s the handsome guy beside her?"
"Are they seriously walking together?"
"He’s that four-affinity prodigy, right? Damn!"
"And the Legacy Spear Bearer... Emilia’s with him too?"
"Well, that’s not surprising, since she is the shadow of the princess."
Everyone’s eyes widened at their arrival as they turned their heads toward the group. Students instinctively stepped aside to clear a path as soon as they saw Arya in the lead.
Orion inwardly chuckled, relishing the expressions of awe and envy that greeted them. ’Hmm... I can get used to these stares.’
[Hehe, you’ll get more and more of such stares before they turn into pure admiration. (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ]
Orion chuckled and nodded his head, ’Indeed, they’ll only envy me until they think they have a chance to catch up with me or surpass me. The day they realize the unsurpassable gap between us will be the day they accept their defeat.’
[Master is the best! All hail Master!!! (ﾉ´ヮ`)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧]
He nearly burst out laughing in the auditorium but held back, ’Hahaha, stop it before I go from confident to straight-up arrogant.’
[I’ll make sure nothing like that happens! (≧◡≦)]
Inwardly shaking his head, he glanced sideways at Arya, her chin held high with a calm smile playing on her lips.
She was clearly accustomed to such attention, though Emilia, walking on Arya’s other side, still wore an indifferent mask—yet beneath her calm exterior, she felt mildly uncomfortable.
’So many eyes...’ Emilia thought, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her spear.
Her spear’s voice sighed softly,
[Relax, girl. Just follow Arya’s example and walk tall. You’re not lesser than these people.]
Orion leaned slightly toward Arya, whispering with amusement, "I can practically hear their jealousy sizzling in the air. Is this normal for you?"
Arya laughed softly, her violet eyes twinkling mischievously. "Their envy and jealousy are directed at you, not me. All they have for me is admiration."
Orion’s lips twitched at her words, "How lucky I am."
From nearby, a noble girl with strawberry-blonde hair whispered softly to her friend, "Is that Orion Helstrom? Gods, he looks even better up close!"