Julian stepped out of the limo, dressed in the uniform of the Ashton Imperial Academy.
It was a white silk shirt with golden trimmings along the collar and sleeves.
Black tailored trousers with golden chains hanging off the left tigh, polished black shoes, a royal purple coat hung from his shoulders, swaying with every step.
His black hair fell over his face, giving it the vibe of “controlled chaos”, while his deep blue eyes seemed to gleam in the pale morning light.
The entrance of the academy was buzzing with motion and sound, akin to what one would see in a beehive.
Students in the same tailored outfits, strode leisurely to the front gate, talking about all the unimportant things they did over the weekend.
A group of passing girls talked about the new make-up line some noble family unveiled, while the boys talked about sports and their drunken activities from the weekend.
‘I did not miss this.’
Julian couldn’t help but release a inward sigh.
In his past life, school was…
exhausting, to say the least, especially for him who was unable to excel academically.
‘Let’s hope it’s not going to be the same this time around.’
[It won’t.]
His ever-present companion spoke, hovering next to him.
The moment Julian stepped forward it was as if a switch had gone off in the crowd.
They seemed to turn their attention to him in unison, as if he was about to make a speech at a party.
‘What is with their reaction?’
Despite the sudden attention, Julian’s steps were straight and steady, eyes forward, never making contact with anyone.
[You’re the heir of one of only three Grand Dukedoms, their reaction to your presence is understandable.]
‘Right.’ He inwardly nodded.
‘I still need to get used to who I am.’
[The sooner you do, the better.]
The crowd parted as Julian made his way through, all of their eyes falling on him.
Julian could make out some whispers along the way.
“….Julian Valecrest.”
“Heir of the Valecrest Duchy.”
“He looks… different today.”
The whispers flowed with every step he took, the attention on him growing thicker by the moment, but he paid it no mind.
When the crowd parted enough, Julian couldn’t hide the widening of his eyes when they traveled past the gate, falling onto the academy.
Calling it huge, massive or enormous would be an understatement.
The academy was a perfect balance between modern and ancient, covering a large expanse of ground that seemed to go on forever.
Julian could make out tall spires stretching up into the sky, their walls old but strong and sturdy.
He could also see tall steel buildings, their spotless windows reflecting the harsh morning sun.
The old and new intertwined like two enemies that became friends, giving the academy a unique aestethic.
[She’s beautiful, isn’t she?]
‘Yes.
Yes she is.’
Julian snapped out of it when his feet carried him to the gate, a security guard dressed in all black awaiting him.
“Young Master Valecrest.” He greeted with a respectful bow.
Julian simply nodded, acknowledging the man and greeting back in the same motion.
“Please.”
The man held out a tablet, asking Julian to place his hand on it to get his biometrics scanned to gain access.
Julian thought that the extra security was useless, but then he remembered that the children of nobles and rich commoners attended the academy, and those childrens’ parents will go to any lengths to ensure the safety of their children.
A soft notifications came from the tablet when Julian placed his hand on it, confirming the genuineness of his identity.
The security stepped aside, giving Julian access to the academy.
Julian nodded and stepped inside.
He was greeted by wide and long walkways with neatly trimmed hedges running along it.
Off in the distance he could see the steady gleam of a water fountain, placed in the center of the walkway.
The place smelled of nature and…
technology?
He turned his head to the sight, where he saw rows of fully charged electric carts standing at the ready, their silver forms spotless and shining in the sun.
The carts was locked behind small gates, with a device placed next to each one.
‘There is no way I’m walking all the way down this long walkway.
Can’t I use one of these carts?’
[Of course, just put your fingerprint on one of those devices next to it.]
As Julian walked to the carts, he saw other kids taking out their phones and scanning the QR code before the gates slid open for them.
‘They’re paying for it.
Am I not supposed to pay?’
[You’re the heir of one of only three Grand Dukedoms, only second in power to the royal family. Who would be daring enough to make you pay?]
‘I’m a quantillionare, but I’m still getting stuff for free.
How unfair is that?’
Julian put his thumb on the device and the gate immediately slid open, with the electric carts automatically rolling out.
He slipped into the soft seats of the cart, leaning back against the comfortable backrest.
[>Please state your destination<]
A mechanical voice sounded from the cart’s voice box, slightly startling Julian.
‘Mini?’
[Classroom Block 1S.]
“Classroom Block 1S.”
[>Destination Confirmed: Classroom Block 1S<]
The cart pulled forward with a soft mechanical hum, gliding smoothly over the walkway.
********
The door opened and Julian stepped into the empty classroom.
The class was…
ordinary.
At least compared to the rest of the academy’s splendor.
A large desk was in the front of the classroom on a raised dais, a whiteboard placed high against the wall.
The seating was nothing special too, like the ones you get in the universities back on Earth.
“Where do you usually sit?”
[There.]
Mini-ball pointed to a seat in the corner at the very front of the classroom.
“Why are you seated so close to the front?” Julian made his way towards the seat.
[So that I can hear the professor better.]
“…Right.”
Julian settled into the seat and waited in silence, fingers drumming a rhythm against the wooden tabletop.
His fingers paused when the door swung open, causing him to lift his head.
A girl stepped in.
She had long blonde hair that cascaded down her back like golden liquid.
A small button nose, luscious and delicate pink lips, milky white pale skin, with long blonde lashes.
She was beautiful, more beautiful than any woman Julian has ever laid his eyes on.
‘The beauty standards of this world is absolutely crazy.’
Julian removed his gaze before he got caught staring, not keen on being labeled as a creep.
The girl walked into the classroom, her steps confident and certain, the sound of her feet hitting the marble floor echoed in the classroom.
She took a seat.
Right next to Julian.
‘There is so many open seats, but she decided to sit next to me.’
Julian didn’t voice his complaints, staring forward as if it it didn’t bother him.
“Morning.”
Her voice was soft, honeyed, making one feel like they were floating on clouds.
“Morning.” Julian greeted without turning his head, suddenly finding the empty whiteboard very interesting.
‘Sigh.’ He sighed inwardly after a few seconds before turning his head to the girl.
“Is something wrong?”
Julian wanted to ignore it when he felt her intense gaze on him, but gave in to the urge a few seconds later.
“You greeted me back.” There was genuine confusion on her face, clearly in disbelief.
“And?”
“I’ve been greeting you every school day for a whole month, but you never greeted back.”
‘Mini-ball.
Why didn’t you greet the lovely girl back?’ Julian threw a side-eye at his partner.
[I had no idea she greeted me. Heck, I had no idea she even sat next to me.]
‘How do you not notice a person sitting next to you for an entire month?’ Julian was bewildered.
[I was going through some stuff, okay?]
‘What stuff?’
[I don’t want to talk about it.]
‘Tch.
Keep your secrets.’
Julian’s attention returned to the girl, flashing her a small apologetic smile.
“I apologize for my rude behavior.”
“No, no. There is no need to apologize.” The girl shook her head, causing strands of blonde her to come loose, spilling over her face.
“In fact, I should be the one to apologize.”
“Hmm?” Julian lifted his eyebrow.
“It is no secret that you are not the speaking type, but despite knowing that, I insisted on greeting you, hoping you’d return it.” The girl bowed slightly.
“I apologize.”
‘She is too much of a sweetheart for her own good, apologizing even after she got what she wanted.’
Julian shook his head inwardly, chasing away the thought, regaining his composure.
“Let’s just say both of us were in the wrong and forget it ever happened, okay?”
The reason he wanted to cut ties with her was because she looked like the saintess you saw in manhwas, one of the main heroines who was the love interest of the protagonist.
And Julian knew that heroines always came with loads of baggage that the protagonist must solve in order to gain their favor.
He wanted to focus on football, not be a problem solver for some girl who will only see you once you’ve helped her figure out her messy life.
And besides, the possibility that he was reincarnated into novel was low, but not zero.
If that was the case, he wanted to avoid the main cast and the best way to do that is to cut contact with them.