As we embarked on the gate, a heavy sense of awkwardness that lingered through the atmosphere was pressing down on our shoulders.

My hands are covered in bitter sweats, quivering and uneasy. Only the sound of our footsteps could be heard as we approached the gate.

The scents of cinnamon enveloped us as we both made an entrance through the gate, unraveling a specious green landscape that intrigued my eyes.

Roses and butterflies scattered across the scenery; the crowds leisured their time laughing splendidly under the oakwood. At the center is a giant fountain that caught my eye as it sprinkles water perpetually.

The landscape size is so enormous that it could fit an elegant penthouse.

"Wow!" Erina blurted, breaking the silence in the ambience.

"It's beautiful here; no wonder it's one of the most respected academies!" I exclaimed while mesmerizing the scenery.

Aside from the giant fountain, I also noticed a building made out of marble that was likely built one hundred years ago; the pillars of the building are Corinthian columns that have a curved end; that was used a long time ago. They are also gigantic in size. Two opened wooden doors greet us with a written text attached: 'Welcome to Golden Academy! '

"Let's go, Noseii!" said Erina with an excited and persuading tone.

I nodded my head, and we both strode into the building, welcoming us with a deafening sound.

Everyone paused to look at us nonchalantly for a brief moment and proceeded to continue their own business.

I notice some familiar faces, including the one that I highlight the most: Furina, the daughter of the current king. Along with her butlers besides.

"Look, Noseii, it's Furina the King's daughter," said she, while pointing her finger to the table where Furina is sitting, like it wasn't obvious to me.

"I know, I know. Please put your fingers down before we get in trouble."

"Oops, sorry." Erina descended her arms and gently touched his face.

"Do you know what room we are going to?"

"No."

I noticed cobwebs that are chilling in the corner, paintings that worth arms and legs are arranged in the wall, and the chandelier hanging above is all too obvious for me to ignore—a crimson carpet on the path as I looked around the lobby in search of the enrollment list.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I believe it will take us to the reception. I picked up my speed and started moving quickly after the red carpet.

"Wait for me!" Erina exclaims, attempting to keep up with me. I taunted Erina and laughed.

"Don't laugh at me, stupid!" I slowly reached the end of the velvet carpet, and it correctly led me into a room that has a sign, 'Students Information.'

A raspy, wheezing noise of a man on the chair cuts through the silence of the room. I give a soft, gentle knock on the plastic glass that separates from the other side.

Hoping that the sound would stir him from his slumber. But the sound didn't help to wake up the deep slumber of the man.

"Erina, help me wake him up," I whisper. I patiently tapped my feet to the shiny ground, waiting for Erina to answer, but I was left with a moment of silence.

I scanned my surroundings, yet she's nowhere to be found. Where did she go? A piercing screech echoes, a familiar sound that seemed to cut through the silence and wake up the deep slumber of the man.

"Hey kid," the man said, wiping his drool.

"I'm sorry, I'll see you later," I said to the man and left feeling unsettled, as if something was going to happen to Erina.

I speed up my pace in the direction of the piercing scream, feeling a chill down to my spine as my sweats dripped at my back. I adjusted my gloves that were already wet from my viscous sweat.

***

I was met with a circle commotion of students cheering, as if something was intriguing.

"Where is that guy?"

"Who?" said by a familiar voice with a tone that wavered, like it was going to break.

It was definitely Erina.

I can't catch a sneak to the inside because of the commotion. So I let out a voice, "Erina!"

Their eyes had been fixed on me, evaluating me, but I ignored it and insisted that they be sent to the sides.

A sharp, high-pitched whistle, letting out a steam at the end of my nasal passage and ear canals, moving clearly through the tension air as they lean to the side, giving me enough space to clearly see Erina, who was lying down, frightened, her hands quivering on the surface of the ground whilst looking at a certain man.

A man that doesn't show a sign at having a problem reaching something high, along with a clavicle that is so broad that he probably had a problem entering a narrow door before.

Alongside its boulder-like shoulders that can certainly take down a person.

"What's your problem?" I inquire, making it loud and clear to the man.

Erina, the man, and crowds turned to see my unperturbed face.

He strode towards me and uttered, "So it's you!" with an eerie tone that increased the tension in the air.

I felt a chilling sensation that extends down to my spinal cord as he approached me.

Leaving me out of myself yet, I decided to answer his words with determination, "So what?"

The man laughed at my determination as he tried to hold my neck, trying to choke me to death.

I swiftly move in motion, dodging the reach of the man. Seeing his badge on the uniform, he is a third-year senior. "Hey senior! What did I even do to you?"

"You bastard, you dare to scare my girlfriend like that! Don't you know me? I am Dorf Sanz! The son of the lord Rafael from district 42."

I let out a burst teasing laugh at him unbothered by his introduction, "Fuck off! It's your girlfriend that is making fun of me. Do... Dolphin? What kind of name is that!?"

Dorf let out a loud hush, unpinning his badge, smirking as he throws it away to me, thudding as it reaches me, "You should know what it means, right?"

This event causes the crowd's jaws to open in shock. "Woahh!"

My eyes peaked with intensity as he handed out his badge to me. By this means, he is challenging me to a duel. In the rulebook, it says that you can refuse any duel challenge, but there you are left with shame. I unpinned my badge, putting it down gently in front of me, picking his, accepting his challenge, "Yeah!!"