After the entrance ceremony turned into a complete disaster, the Academy had no choice but to dismiss us and send everyone back home.
Not long after, an official notice arrived: enrollment would be postponed until the investigation into the incident was finished.
In other words—I don't have to go to the Academy just yet?
…Fine by me.
The good news is that no students were injured during the chaos. The bad news is that the higher-ups at the Academy are probably pulling their hair out right now.
This year's incoming class isn't ordinary. It's packed with big names—like the Empire's princess, or even a prince from another country. With people like that gathered in one place, any incident instantly becomes a political storm.
I can only imagine the level of panic and suspicion running through the Academy's leadership at the moment.
And as for Luminari—the root cause of the whole mess?
Well, the webtoon never explained exactly what happened to her afterward. There were no chapters covering her punishment, no side notes, nothing.
But if I had to guess, she's probably standing before the disciplinary committee right about now. At best, she'll be put under heavy restrictions. At worst, she'll lose everything she worked for.
One thing's certain: her dream of becoming a professor is finished.
What a shame…
Though, honestly, I can't say I feel too sorry for her.
Anyways, Two days had already passed since the entrance ceremony.
I was sprawled out on my bed, savoring some rare free time with nothing but silence around me.
Unlike in a webtoon, where entire days vanish between panels and scenes, reality has a proper sense of time. And honestly? That's been a blessing.
Yes, this is the life.
Because life, at the end of the day, is about learning how to enjoy peace and leisure.
If I had my way, I'd graduate from the Academy as quickly as possible and set off to explore this world at my own pace.
There's so much I want to see—the forests, the cities, the ruins scattered across the continent. But three years… three years isn't exactly a short stretch of time.
"I've got nothing to do… should I go check that place out?"
The thought came to me as I rolled lazily from one side of the bed to the other. Since I had time to kill before the real grind of Academy life began, it might not be a bad idea to visit that place now.
Decision made, I pushed myself up and straightened my uniform.
Once I make up my mind, I move quickly.
"I'm heading out for a bit."
Berno, who had been dozing off in the chair by the desk, perked up immediately. "Where are you going, sir?"
"Just taking a short walk. Don't follow me—I'll go alone."
Before he could argue, I waved him down and slipped out, shutting the door firmly behind me.
Left alone in the room, Berno tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
"…But why is he wearing his school uniform just to go for a walk?"
-----
I left the dormitory and wandered aimlessly through the streets.
Honestly, I hadn't thought this far ahead. I'd come out determined, but without the slightest clue where the place I wanted to find was actually located.
In the webtoon, the protagonist had just stumbled across it by pure chance, almost like fate was guiding him.
But this was reality. And the imperial capital was huge—far too vast for someone like me, a country bumpkin at heart, to just stumble upon anything important by coincidence.
"Ugh… what do I do?" I muttered, dragging my feet.
Should I just turn back and ask around for better directions? I'd come out with such bold determination, and now here I was, hitting a wall after only a short walk.
I was just about to give up when—
"…Huh?"
A familiar silhouette caught my eye among the endless crowd of people.
That face.
I squinted, then quickened my pace toward him.
What's he doing here?
The boy was staring intently at something, completely absorbed and unaware of my approach.
"What are you doing?" I asked casually.
"Eek…! B-big bro?!"
The kid nearly jumped out of his skin, spinning around with a guilty look plastered on his face.
Evan.
The same boy who had swiped my wallet a few days ago.
…Wait. More importantly—Big bro?
Since when did I become his older brother?
Suppressing a sigh, I crossed my arms. "Where are the other kids? The two who usually follow you around."
"W-well, I don't really know??" he stammered, eyes darting left and right.
I raised an eyebrow. His voice cracked, and he looked like a rabbit caught in a trap.
Why are you stuttering like that, huh?
Suspicious.
Sam and Toby.
It was suspicious that neither of them were anywhere to be seen.
Don't tell me they're…?
I narrowed my eyes at the boy in front of me. "You guys weren't about to commit another crime, were you?"
"Ah—ow ow ow! It's not like that! I said it hurts! Stop, it really hurts…!!"
Tsk. What a drama queen.
I'd only pressed down on his head lightly, yet he was writhing around as if I'd crushed his skull.
Wiping the faint smile from my lips, I leaned closer until my words brushed his ear.
"What did I say I'd do if I caught you next time?"
Evan froze, a nervous gulp escaping him. His playful act disappeared in an instant, replaced by a stiff, serious expression.
"…You said, if I got caught again, you wouldn't let it end with just words."
"That's right. So."
I pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes.
"Don't get caught by me. Because I won't go easy on you just because you're young."
My gaze lingered, sharp and unflinching, until Evan finally broke and nodded like his life depended on it.
"…Got it."
Good. He was quick-witted enough to read the warning behind my words.
I let him go, brushing the dust off my hands. "By the way, Evan. Do you happen to know where this place is?"
His brow furrowed when I pulled a folded drawing from my pocket and held it out to him.
"…What is this even supposed to be?"
"Can't you tell by looking? It's a building. Look carefully."
"Building? This? Hah. Your drawing skills are awful."
I narrowed my eyes. "…What did you just say, you brat?"
"Nothing, sir!!" Evan straightened instantly, plastering on an innocent smile.
What's wrong with my drawing? I thought it was pretty realistic—photographic, even.
Evan studied it a little longer before tilting his head.
"Hmm… wait. Isn't this that place? The shop where that grumpy, ill-tempered old man lives?"
For such a young kid, he sure spoke with a sharp tongue. I could pick apart a dozen things in that sentence, but that wasn't the important part right now.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out a few gold coins, and placed them into his small hands.
"Guide me there."
His eyes widened at the weight of the coins, then lit up with a grin.
"You got it!"