Chapter 17: 14 - Glory Academy I

"Luggage check, clothes check, books check, tools check, wallet check. Am I missing anything?"

"None, Young Master."

Today was Authun 3rd, the ninth month and the evening before the start of the academy. With the institution located at the capital of Ecrelyn, Sorrora, it provides a mandatory dorm service for convenience sake (as many students live an hour or more away by horseback).

A boarding school basically.

Thus here they were, master and servant, packing.

Regrettably the academy does not allow personal servants with it being an institute open to all regardless of status. With the intention of students and staff forgoing their statuses on campus and to stand on equal footing. Unfortunately class discrimination is still happening right under the academy's nose.

Huey exhaled in relief. They had to have been packing for at least an hour and a half. Majority being clothes: uniforms, casual, formal, sleep, etc. Fortunately he only take a few for each since he decided to buy the rest at the capital. Hurray for money!

After Owen left, Huey settled into bed. A weird combination of anticipation and worry whirling in his guts. With Castelle of Lux's plot officially beginning in a couple of hours it also sparks conflicts ranging from social drama to calamical events. Either benefiting Sorin's strength or relationships.

Demonic invasions, cute library scene, assassination, picnic, monsters, heartfelt dating. The juxtaposition was frankly comical. Fortunately the writing was well paced.

Anyhow, there is one issue that keeps bugging him.

How on earth will most of the problems happen?!

It's to be noted that Huey Astaseul is the main villain of the school arc. Inciting incidents left and right, incurring trauma upon the students, colluding with demons, and bringing upon chaos in general up until his execution.

Not doing those would certainly make everyone's lives easier, but also not doing it means not giving Sorin the opportunity to get stronger for whatever the final enemy is.

Although Huey had said: "I was thinking of using my past life memories and novel knowledge to cheat my way through. Also secretly build up my power so I could protect myself, and while I'm at it, also avoid the main group because they are magnets for trouble" (ch.08).

What does he do if he is the trouble? And that's really not that solid of a plan, if hardly one at all.

'Come to think of it, what's the ending?'

His first life memories only went up to his death and he died without ever seeing the conclusion after all.

'I read up to the fifth volume with the war and Battle Between Dreams arc.'

The fifth volume had Sorin and the gang travelling to a neighboring kingdom only to end up caught in a war with the demons. Afterwards, Sorin gets pulled into a changing dreamworld every night.The one similarity between the dreamscapes being a glowing butterfly. Upon chasing the butterfly the volume comes to a close and ends on a cliffhanger that had Elijah clawing at his wall.

He could still clearly remember the most maddening page he's ever read:

["Sorin huffed, forcing his trembling legs to move up a step, hand perched on the stone wall for support. All his energy sapped. He had been climbing the spiral staircase up the tower for days. Time in the dream realm unlike Evendale's.

Flap

The butterfly flew and landed on a round bronze door handle. Flapping its wing as if goading him on. Clenching his teeth Sorin persevered and moved. His labored breaths echoing in the winding tower.

'..Almost there.'

Before long, Sorin clutched onto the door knob and swung open the door. Collapsing halfway through, wheezing desperately. Sweat dribbled onto the smooth marble floor when he felt a wave of warmth wash over him. Taking away his fatigue.

Sorin whipped his head up, shocked at what he saw. In front of a small glass window was a lady with aureate hair cascading to her ankles. A silk ribbon and two wings obscuring her features. A plain white dress, six pairs of large pearly wings, and fair slender arms carrying a gold accented vase.

The silver haired youth's pupils dilated. His voice coming out shaky and breathy.

"Goddess?"]

Huey punched the pillow beside him. Just thinking of that scene pisses him off. Author, why, why did you have to do that?!?

Lamentations aside, following the cliches of demons invading mankind, the final boss should be the demon king or something right?

But how?

Historically speaking, in the past the existence of demon kings were very much true and real. However, ever since the great holy war between divinity and demons ten thousand years ago (depicted in the church's doctrines and Castelle of Lux), not only did a large part of demons die, all seventy two demon lords were wiped out. Similarly, many casualties befell on the divine and the ones remaining left through heaven's gate. Never to step foot on mortal land again.

Unless a new one was born or one of the lords had survived, a demon king should be impossible. Moreover revival is out of the question as demons don't have souls.

Their being is centred around a core. It acting as a demon's heart and battery. It breaks or runs out the demon goes poof and dissolves into nothingness. Leaving zero remnants.

Then what is the ending?

Huey groaned frustratedly and bemoaned his situation.

'Why'd I have to die before reaching the novel's conclusion?!'

Just like that he complained, rolled around, and fell asleep.

—*:･ﾟ*✧ —

"Young Master, wake up." Owen nudged before turning to fetch the Glory Academy's formal uniform. Huey cracked open an eye and tediously dragged himself out of bed.

The formal uniform was the typical blazer with the academy logo (the kingdom's crest and two white morning glories) embroidered on the left chest, white dress shirt, black vest, black dress pants, and black shoes.

The academy's uniforms ranged from a variety of styles, but it's a mandatory requirement for all students to wear the formal uniform at assemblies such as the opening ceremony.

Additionally, the uniform colors differ in grade too. The junior students' uniforms are periwinkle, and in the senior year: first years have white, second years have black, and third years have red.

Quickly finishing his breakfast, Huey rushed to the carriage only to be stopped by a maid with blue eyes and brown hair. Body slamming him with a hug.

Elaine whined and squeezed the life out of him.

"Young Master, don't forget about us!" She cried and furthered the hug.

"E-Elaine l—eht—guo.."

"Remember to write!"

"Elaine—!"

"And—"

"Miss Elaine, you're suffocating him." Owen, the best butler in the world, saved his charge from dying from asphyxiation.

"Oh!" She instantly let go and bowed. "My deepest apologies Young Master!"

Huey gasped and cleared his throat, "No, it's ok just don't do it again."

"Understood. And remember to—"

"To write, visit, eat, and study. Yes I understand."

"It's good you get it." Elaine grinned and attempted another bear hug thwarted by Owen. Which Huey will be eternally thankful to the man for.

Successfully escaping Elaine, Huey bid farewell to any servant he came across and was now sitting inside his carriage. With the door still open, he made eye contact with Owen.

"Have a pleasant time, Young Master." The butler bowed.

Huey smiled. "I'll see you in Hiemu."

No other words were exchanged between them.

Click

The carriage door closed shut and Owen went to alert the coachman to leave. The horse neighed loudly and the carriage was off. From the window Huey could see the butler standing not so far away and Elaine by the entrance frantically waving.

He felt a bit of melancholy welling up seeing their shrinking figures, but the anticipation for what's to come overrides it. He slumped on his seat.

In two hours, the story begins.

—*:･ﾟ*✧ —

"Young Master," The coachmen knocked on the carriage door. "We've arrived."

Huey blinked away the drowsiness. He was the type that could fall asleep on any type of moving vehicle regardless of conditions. Yawning, he scrutinized the scene through the window.

A grande quartz gate inlaid with numerous magic runes for security purposes stood in front. Students old and new flocking through to the largest of the academy buildings. The central and nucleus where the headmistress, auditorium, and most of the non educational facilities were. Such as the theatre, arena, archive, and the like.

From the corner he could see Neil and Lein boasting their vermillion uniforms and waltzing inside. With their appearance came his, thus everyone turned to be on a lookout for the infamous school tyrant. Spotting his carriage, the students nearby froze with bated breaths. There's been one too many incidents where people who've offended Huey Astaseul have disappeared or been hurt.

Said youth gulped. Hesitatingly unlocking the door, the entire air seemed to freeze from how awkward it was when his foot touched the ground.

'Was I that bad?'

Sporting a wry expression he disembarked the caravan. Leaving his luggage to the servant and academy staff to take care of.

Quickly making his way to the building, Huey did his best to ignore all the stares and whispers. Deciding to look for Kayson instead.

The two had arranged to meet up by the main building's entrance and go in together. From the looks of it he was the first to arrive. Finding a random space nearby to idle around, he once again ignored how people seemed to go around him.

'This is fine.'

Abruptly something tackled him. He barely recovered and held his place thanks to Mr. Joseph's training.

The crowd went silent.

"You're blind if you didn't see me." Kayson scoffed.

The crowd went silent silent.

"Sorry sorry, let's go."

Someone gasped.

As the two boys walked inside, a pair of friends eyed each other strangely.

"What's Kayson doing with him?" One of them scrunched up his nose.

"And he actually apologized!" The other gaped.

"I have a bad feeling about this year."

"Same.."

Inside of the auditorium were hundreds of seats organized by grade laid neatly across the ground. With first and second years on the first floor and third years on the second.

Huey and Kayson found a seat in a row near the front. Conveniently stationed right in the middle. The students filing in seemed to be endless, with the last of the bunch sitting down ten minutes after they've arrived. Five minutes afterwards the opening ceremony officially began.

Seeing the appearance of the head mistress making her way to the podium, the audience instantly quieted down. The woman was tall and shapely, exuding an elegant and powerful pressure. Her hair was a dark magenta with a lighter hue for eyes. Light wrinkles could be seen on her face which is expected as she is in her fifties. Even so, the woman had aged like fine wine with equal power to boot as a famous magic spearman that defended the kingdom against threats.

She swept her gaze over the audience, eyes lingering on a couple individuals. She smiled and using voice amplification the headmistress began her flawless elocution.

"Students, with immense pleasure on behalf of the academy, we welcome you. My name is Mira Bonne, the headmistress of Glory Academy. I hope you've all..."

Kayson leaned his head back, irked.

"Huey, how long's the speech gonna be?" He whispered.

The youth furrowed his brow. Replying in an unsure tone, "Half an hour more or less. After the headmistress will be the teachers, student leaders, honorary members, and a student speech by the best scoring students in the entrance exam. I think."

"Ughh."

Just like that they sat through the headmistress, teachers, the student leaders promoting their programs, and the honoraries' speeches. Just one more to go.

Unlike the others this time Huey paid close attention to whoever the student speakers were. Coming from the side of the stage were two students. Each wearing a first and second year uniform respectively. Huey's eyes stayed glued on the young girl belonging to the second year. With short wavy light blonde hair with tints of pink on the inside, blue diamond eyes more brilliant than the sky, fair unblemished skin, long slender legs, and overall a kind air to her appeared.

It was the heroine, Celine Estherlin.

Clearly the beauty of the heroine was unmatched as many of the students lazing around and not paying attention perked up upon her appearance.

"Hello everyone, my name is Celine Estherline and it is my greatest pleasure to be standing here with you all. To share and revel in emotions both good and bad throughout our school year. I..."

'It really is her.'

Huey felt conflicted looking at her warm smile. To think he had made her a sobbing and screaming mess spewing hatred at him in the past.

'I really am trash.'

After both of their speeches, the headmistress approached the podium once again.

"Students please exit by order from the closest row to the door. Outside will be staff members that will guide you to your classrooms."

She announced and thus marked the closing of the opening ceremony.

"Mmm—finally!" Kayson stretched his arms, back, and neck. Eliciting a pop from some areas.

"I wonder how you'll sit through classes if you're like this." He smirked sardonically.

Kayson coughed, "Emm.. I'll manage."

While they made their way to the entrance the two made small talk unfortunately drowned out by the noise.

"I had the worst diarrhea yesterday." Kayson smiled with resignation.

"What? I can't hear you."

"I said I had the worst—never mind." He waved it off.

"What no now I'm curious—eugk!"

Huey yelped, cutting off his sentence. It seems he had bumped into something... or someone's back.

Huey groaned and massaged his nose, smacking Kayson lightly on the arm whose cheeks repeatedly puffed up from suppressing a laugh.

"Are you okay?" Said a mellow voice laced with worry coming from the person he bumped into.

"Yeah I'm fine...?" Huey looked at the owner of the voice. His brain immediately short circuited.

Tall, snow silver hair, droopy platinum eyes, a handsome face, and pale skin.

It's Sorin.

Said youth narrowed his eyes upon seeing Huey's face. A vague feeling of déjà-vu disturbing him.

Huey stared at the other for a tad second longer before snapping out of it. He shoved Kayson forwards and quickly ran away from a confused Sorin who was burning holes into him by vision alone.

It didn't take long for them to reach the outside. The two found a spot by the side of the path where Kayson immediately began interrogating.

"What was that?"

"I bumped into Sorin!" Huey whisper-yelled. The words taking a couple seconds to sink in for Kayson as he tried to recall who Sorin was.

"Oh—OH!" He paused and grinned, "As expected of the protagonist, so good looking."

"Why is that your focus?"

"I like pretty people. Plus it's not like you've wronged him yet, loosen up."

Begrudgingly, he agreed and they approached one of the staff members acting as a guide.

"Name?" The guide asked, adjusting the cog-like watch on their wrist. They nodded after hearing their answer, and quickly pressed something on the watch. A blue holographic image appeared over the watch displaying words in evanese.

Kayson silently wowed, applauding the magic artifacts industry.

"I see, Mr. Astaseul you are in class A-302 and Mr. Nevoid you are in class A-326. The second year school building is in the North, right over there." They then pointed towards a general direction where the silhouette of a castle-like building could be seen. "Please head to your classes as soon as possible."

Thanking the guide the pair moved towards their destination.

"I'm so sad we're not in the same class." Kayson cried, slumping onto Huey.

"At least we're on the same floor."

Ignoring the bewildered stares headed their way, they arrived at the second year building and soon the third floor.

A large door with a number plate attached above with A-302 engraved inside stood imposingly in front of them. Huey sighed and nudged at Kayson.

"Aren't you going to class?"

He shrugged. "I'll go later, I wanna see who's in your class."

"...Okay?"

Acquiescing to the request, he pushed open the door revealing a decently large classroom with a college like layout. Rounded desks going from low to high with the professor's desk at the lowest point of the classroom.

Already the classroom was relatively filled, but there were a couple students that stood out from the rest.

First there was Celine, sitting by the windows surrounded by people.

Next to her is a good looking youth with messy indigo hair and golden eyes. The sight and how he carried himself exuded an elegant and regal air. His face settled into a contemptuous look despite feeling perfectly fine.

He was the second prince of the Ecrelyn kingdom, Kade Leonis Caelitus.

On the direct opposite side of the classroom closer to the front was a beautiful young girl with long silky lilac hair. Her eyes were the same shade as an amethyst. Just like Celine she was surrounded by people, but unlike her who radiated warmth and kindness she carried a haughtiness and dignity.

But of course, what drew the most attention was the protagonist. Peacefully admiring the view outside the window and sitting directly in front of Celine. Sorin Ceylon.

Huey closed the door and sobbed.

"Fuck I'm stuck with the main casts." Which was expected considering his original role. Still annoying though.

Kayson guffawed and patted his shoulder. "Hah! Good luck." Before barking out a goodbye and jogging down the hall to his own classroom. Narrowly avoiding a waist pinch.

Huey watched the other go down the hall irritatingly as he turned back to his classroom door.

'It's ok, I'm back, I'm fine, they're fine, I can do this.'

Inhaling deeply, he pushed open the door and walked inside. Hating at how the classroom became quiet save for a couple whispers.

"Seriously? He's in our class?" A guy by Celine scrunched up his nose. A person next to him added on.

"Why hasn't the academy expelled him yet?"

"Because they can't find any evidence it was him."

Celine, watching the unpleasant situation unfolding, grew curious and quietly asked, "What are you guys talking about?"

"You're new so you don't know, but that guy is insane."

"He's made people disappear just because they offended him, even though everyone knows it's him no one's been able to find any evidence."

Celine frowned, "He doesn't look evil."

A girl with curly brown hair butt in, "You should know the saying don't judge a book by its cover. Celine I'm saying this for your own good but you should avoid him."

The guy from before clicked his tongue, "Yes esp—eek! He's looking at us!"

"You talked too loud!"

"Shh!!"

Huey shook his head. Practically the entire class can hear them gossiping. Still, it felt pretty bad getting openly shit talked. Luckily the professor soon walked in.

The professor was a dark skinned and organized looking man with features similar to those from the Kingdom of Aleumon. He wore gold rimmed glasses, had dark hair neatly tied up in a bun, and brick coloured eyes.

"Ahem, good morning class. I am your new home room professor, Mr. Clark. Let's all have a pleasant school year together." He briefed and pulled out the attendance list. "Is Huey Astaseul here?"

"Yes." He raised an arm.

"Kade Leonis Caelitus?"

"Here." The prince called out.

Sorin Ceylon?"

"Here."

"Celine Estherline?"

"I'm here.!" She beamed eagerly.

Mr. Clark then listed a couple more names that Huey toned out.

"Melissa Roseri?"

"Over here." The girl with lilac hair dismissively said and went back to playing with her hair. Twirling the violet strands between long fingers.

"And finally, Nicholas Vergis."

Huey's breath hitched.

...

"...Nicholas Vergis? Is Nicholas here?"

No answer.

Mr. Clark frowned and scanned the classroom before marking the student as absent.

"Very well, I will now distribute the magic artifacts that will act as your schedule, map, and passes for the academy facilities. Please come up when your name is called."

'Nicholas...'

Huey bit his lips. A dark stuffy sensation poking derisively at him.

Nicholas Vergis. A bastard child of Baron Vergis conceived when he had a drunken fling with a maid. His mother, afraid of what the madam would do, fled to give birth.

With the pay from working as a maid and other miscellaneous jobs, the two lived decently for commoners at first. But taxes grew higher while working demands grew harsher. After his mother was fired from her job, things spiraled financially.

He was five when they fell into poverty.

Six, when his mother began taking drugs and alcohol, becoming a violent addict.

Seven, when he was left to rot in the streets.

Seven, when he crawled back to the Vergis estate demanding to meet his father. Taken in and

learned how to be a noble, how to survive in a family with absent parents and too many half siblings for one's good, and how to thrive in high society.

Eleven, when he met Huey and made a deal. Obtaining an Astaseul's protection and a promise to grow in power in return for being his underling. Someone at his beck and call regardless of the order.

Sixteen, when he was abandoned again.

And seventeen, when he was convicted due to being accused of aiding Huey in crime and treason. Despite having not been contacted in a year.

'I was in jail and died before his sentence so I don't know what happened to him... but..'

The guilt worsened.

Not only did Nicholas trust him enough to unveil his life story, he betrayed him and never kept his promise. He left Nicholas in the dust for the demons, and he pulled the youth into his crimes later on.

Huey couldn't understand why he did what he did. His memories eroded and fuzzy, yet all his misdoings remained crystal clear. Untouched by time. As though his sins had been branded on by a scalding metal rod.

Why?!

Why did he leave Nicholas?

Why did he collude with the demons?

Why, why—

"Why?! Why are you leaving me?"

Nicholas's hoarse voice on the verge of tears screamed in his mind.

"I'm sorry, whatever I did, please don't go."

He covered his face.

"I hate you!"

"I'm sorry." He mumbled into his palms.

"Wait!

"I'm sorry.."

"Huey!"

"Huey?"

"..I'm sorry..."

"Don't—"

"Huey."

"Don't leave me!"

"Huey Astaseul! Come up and get your artifact now." Mr. Clark's stern voice snapped Huey out from his daze with a gasp.

Looking around the classroom, his thumping heart settled as he went to retrieve the artifact. A couple people murmured about his reaction, but he could hardly care about all that.

Taking the artifact, he admired the design of it. It was a watch similar to the guide's from before. Putting it on his wrist Huey returned to his seat.

"To use it simply inject your mana and interact with the holographic image shown. The watch contains your schedule, classrooms, names of your teachers, a campus map, as well as your dorm number. Everyone give it a try and head to your dormitories."

Doing as told, one by one holographic blue screen appeared over each students' watch. Four topics were arranged neatly on the screen: [information, facilities, map, settings].

Clicking on [information], Huey clicked the dorm option which showed his dorm room number, the dorm building address, pictures, security, and the head of grade's profile.

Typing in the address in the map, Huey quickly left the classroom. Grumbling internally, first day and already mentally drained. He could not wait for the main events.

Silver eyes followed his departing figure, then returning to view at his own screen. Sorin clicked his tongue.

"Not him."

~🎩🪄 ✧ ✦~

I went blue berry picking but my little sister only let me pick two😾

But at least I found a really cool blueberry take a look 👐

(Also washing a big dog (mine's a golden doodle) is so hard it took me over an hour 😿)

Remember to vote! ⭐️👈🤨