Conall sat with his arms and legs crossed, waiting patiently with closed eyes. There was no one around him, or at least in his vicinity.

Scattered throughout the arena, thousands of students sat in their respective classes’ seats. Everyone gathered, including almost every professor except a certain duo, at the word of the academy’s dean.

He didn’t really have to be here, but he didn’t want Morgana to have any issues with him.

Although not really, today was equivalent to an opening ceremony, which didn’t happen this year, much to everyone's surprise.

Of course, the dean had his reasons for the delay of the ceremony, as he had prepared something special this year.

Conall knew very well the surprising news. Because this was the official beginning of the game. Whereas the academy already started, the player began school three days after the fact. He knew the segment like the back of his hand, being able to replay the cutscene from beginning to the very last frame inside his head.

The Golden Eight, or Eight Golden Wings, was a group of young talents gathered from the entire world. All eight of them were equally strong and talented at the top of their generation’s leaderboards, as well as their kingdoms’ main pride.

Before you got to play the game, you had to choose your character, one of these eight characters

The number changed to seven later when you picked one of them, but this wasn’t the game, so none of them had to gain back their stats and levels from the beginning after being betrayed by their higher-ups.

Sensing something descending upon him, he opened his eyes. In the same place that the red knight stood during the exam, there he was. The dean of the academy, Lurius Mentier. The easiest way to describe him was to imagine a human giant with long, platinum hair.

Towering over the already tall red knight that was beside him, the dean barely fit in his pure white uniform.

Many of the Grade C students had already started feeling unwell, just from his appearance. His presence was too impactful for the ordinary populace. Conall, as well, struggled holding up, yet the dean merely stood there, not doing anything.

‘So this is the presence of the strongest magic knight, huh?’

While he concluded in his head, Lurius finally spoke up. Despite him being so far away, everyone in the arena heard him speak at the same volume, with no echo whatsoever.

Using magic to spread his voice, he greeted them.

“Although many of you have been confused by this ongoing year, students and professors alike, I hope you find it in yourselves to forgive us for not preparing the entrance ceremony. For the first time in the academy’s rich history, we have broken the tradition.”

Even before he started, everyone stood up in respect.

“However, as the dean of the academy, I can say one thing. This year, we have sacrificed our values in the name of a brighter future.”

Anticipation shimmered in the eyes of the onlookers. Even the professors in the crowd had no idea what the dean meant. And he cut right to the chase, without delaying things any further.

“Excluding Etra, six different nations throughout the many lands have agreed to sign a treaty with our academy. I would like to present to you the worldly famous generation, The Golden Eight.”

After a brief period of bewildering silence, people cheered and clapped with excitement. It was the least of their expectations whatsoever. At most, they thought that a new house emerged, but the golden generation to actually attend their academy? Their hearts throbbed in excitement.

“Coming from every corner of the world, these eight extremely talented peers have recently reached adulthood, allowing them to finally enter our Academy. Please, welcome them.”

As Lurius said, the students started shouting at the opening gates of the arena. Once they witnessed the first golden coming out of the shadows of the entrance, countless ladies screamed in excitement.

“Born in the land of life, the royal prince of the Tree of Life, Eyneir til Ponveria.”

Standing with his arms still crossed, Conall pondered as he looked at the prince.

‘Somehow, he’s more handsome than in the game.’

Even when he was only a fictional character back on earth, he stole the hearts of female players. It wasn’t that surprising to hear all these girls around him screaming at the top of their lungs, no matter which year or grade they were in.

Standing in the middle of the arena, he loved every bit of the attention his image garnered, Conall only wishing the arena under him would’ve just collapsed.

A few seconds later, another figure showed up. A girl with long, dark hair, the complete contrast to the elf’s pure white hair. As she walked towards the middle with her pointy hat, it was the men’s turn to cheer.

“Coming from the Tower of Witches, Gilmeta.

Conall glanced at Morgana, who seemed to have a look of approval glued to her eyes. Well, who wouldn’t be proud of their niece if she was considered the top of her generation.

After the two were already standing in the middle of the arena, more figures came out from the shadows one by one, with Dean Lurius announcing all of them, not missing a single one.

The third to come out was Sayner, the star mage. Then, Ogulu, a barbarian. As the fifth person, Hafila from the empire came. The sixth and seventh were the famous twins of the mad moon, Gavia and Tusen coming all the way from a beast tribe in the north of Etra.

However, by far the most famous and cheered one was Etra Kingdom’s very own crown prince. Standing in his royal suit, he waved to his people in the crowd, with a slight, relaxed smile on his face.

With hair as black as the night and eyes red as blood, his pale skin made him look no less than a vampire.

‘A vampire would have more conscience than this guy.’

Conall chuckled while hearing all the cheers in the crowd. As the dean ended his introductions with the prince, Feyan, he announced special news regarding this event.

“With this, our kingdoms are no less than allies. From now on, the capital and its vicinity won’t be the only place to finish quests and have field lectures. In a matter of a month, teleportation gates will be installed at the academy grounds, allowing students to venture into our new friends’ lands.”

As the dean ended his short speech, each and every student cheered. Realizing what his words meant, the foreign students could now visit their families without neglecting their studies. It was a favorable situation for everyone.

Shortly after the dean assigned the golden eight to their respective classes of Grade B, having turned into a small entrance ceremony for the special students, it ended.

Soon after, the announcement reached the ears of the capital. The golden eight were always the talk of town, but now, even more so. The ones meant to soar through the skies went to Laufiel, cementing it in the grounds of the world even further.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Together with the gates from where more students from foreign kingdoms could come to Etra, the popularity of the academy would only increase.

…

Because of the announcement, the lectures for the day were canceled, leaving the students with a sudden free day.

And certainly, Conall wouldn’t waste it. Leaving the academy grounds, he trudged through the crowded streets of the capital. There was something he needed to obtain if he wanted to quicken his cursed blood recovery.

However, an item able to help him cure a divine curse had its costs. That was exactly why he wandered around the shopping district.

Taking a turn, he soon found himself at the place he had to visit first. After walking up the three steps, he opened the black doors of the shop. Immediately, his ears were assaulted with the sound of machines rumbling.

He walked through the shop, trying not to disturb any of the clothes racks that stood scattered in the middle of the tailor shop.

Conall saw a man sitting by his sewing table, on it a machine that ran constantly. The tailor skillfully paired two pieces of clothing together so no threads were visible. The pants that he was making looked impeccable, created from the finest of silks Hermengrod had to offer.

Suddenly, he stopped. As an uninvited guest interrupted his work, he couldn’t just continue. He looked up before recalling the young face.

“Right, your robes.”

With a walking stick in hand, the middle-aged man navigated through the stash of countless clothes. However, soon, he found what he was looking for.

“Here, that will be five silver crowns.”

“Even though I’m from the order?”

“You could be a god and it would be five silver crowns.”

“Tch.”

As the red-haired boy started to walk away, the man suddenly called out.

“Parnei. Henrick’s 47.”

“What is that?”

“Just go already, I don’t want anybody seeing you here.”

The man said while sitting down at his table.

Turning his back, Conall left the shop before heading towards the street the tailor told him about.

‘It’s quite easy playing those guys.’

He thought before shoving the robes in his inventory ring. If he allowed normal people to see what he was carrying, it was no less than putting himself on the ropes.

Quite quickly, he reached the abandoned parts of the capital, close to the area where Juliette was attacked. Walking through Henricks street in his new attire, he inspected the buildings, searching for the right number.

After a thorough check, he went into a shady, dark alley. Finally, he saw people for the first time since entering the abandoned section of the capital.

Just like him, they wore dark robes with hoods to keep their identity hidden. Conall walked past them without any issues. They were most likely similar to him, new members, even though he only acted as one.

In the distance, he could see a low-hanging sign with the number ‘47’. Entering through the single door, he saw another door with a big figure standing next to it.

“Password.”

Immediately as he closed the doors, he heard the tall man speak.

“Parnei.”

“Show me your mark.”

Revealing his bare arm, Conall showed him the recently closed mark of the Heavenly Order.

“Your reason for coming?”

“I want to buy the truth beads.”

“You can go in, newbie.”

Opening the doors, Conall instantly heard loud music being played. He also saw things that made the order gain its infamous light. This place acted in three ways. Most importantly, it was a black market that sold off illegal slaves.

Secondly, it hosted auctions with forbidden spells and items. Lastly, it was simply a whore house filled with drugs and stimulants.

He quickly went to the counter. There, he saw a lady with a missing eye. She looked at him for a moment before putting on a fake smile.

“How may I help you?”

“One bundle of truth beads.”

“This version only works on monsters. Will be a crown.”

She threw the bundle on the counter.

Taking out a golden crown from his unique inventory ring, Conall gave it to the lady before stashing them in it.

Confirming the crown, she advised him, who was glancing to the side.

“If you don’t have an invite, don’t push your luck.”

Listening to her, he left that cesspit of atrocities.

…

Conall quickly made his way back to the normal parts of the capital. His robes were already stashed away, but he needed to burn them later. For now, he wore the academy uniform to hide his mark before he got it healed at the sanctuary.

As he made his way back to the shopping district, however, he suddenly smelled a heavenly scent.

Looking at the food vendor handing out grilled pork belly skewers with a honey glaze, he couldn’t help but salivate. Just as he was about to talk to the vendor, he heard a familiar voice.

On his side, he heard a girl’s voice, but when he turned around, he could only see a person in a gray, hooded robe. One that seemed to be stitched recently.

“Conall? What are you doing here?”

Juliette called out to him with two skewers in her hand. Instantly realizing her mistake, she froze for a millisecond before quickly hiding the food behind her.

He couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

“Fancy seeing you here, professor.”

Somehow, despite the hood on her head, he could see her furrowed brows through the shadow.

“A-ah! You didn’t answer me! Shouldn’t you be attending lectures right now?”

Stumped by his words, she could only muster up words that evaded her circumstances. Conall simply went along with her act.

“There was a small entrance opening to make up for the lack of it this year. They gave us a day off after that.”

After a brief explanation, he heard a surprised voice.

“So that’s why those guys were so popular today.”

“Are you talking about The Golden Eight? They looked pretty underwhelming.”

Juliette stared at him with her hooded face, not believing that he actually said something like that.

“You think you can take them on? What place were you on the exam, can you remind me?”

“Last.”

“Exactly.”

“I would still win. If I were of the same grade, of course.”

“Really now? How many would you be able to take on?”

“Well, If what I heard about them is true, then all of them?”

“Pfft, I can’t believe I’m hearing this. Do you think goblins are comparable to humans?”

As she adamantly tried to make him admit he was lying, she failed to notice a presence sneaking up behind her. With a swift jump, the shadow aimed at her back.

“Ah!”

With a scream, Juliette suddenly turned around, only to witness the patchy cat that stole her skewer already jumping to the roof of the building next to them.

The remaining skewers fell to the ground, dirt sticking to its dripping honey glaze.

“Come here! You little rat bastard!”

She screamed at the cat, catching the attention of a large crowd of citizens and passers-by. Quickly surrounding her, they watched while whispering to each other what happened.

Because of that, she stopped. Lights flashed through her mind, and the sky started to darken slowly. The clouds gradually turned black, ready to release their weeps.

The girl standing in the middle of the street shuddered. Countless whispers of the bystanders bellowed in her ears. Realizing they might recognize her, she ran away in fret.

Before Conall could call out to her, Juliette had already disappeared.

“Dear goddess, is it going to rain all of a sudden?”

“Let’s move away. She’s probably in the capital right now.”

‘They never work together, do they?’

“I’ll have three pork skewers, please.”

Handing the money to the vendor, he ordered his food before taking off where he thought she might be. He didn’t need to hear any more of the citizens and their aversion.