Extra in a Romance Fantasy

2 – Admission and Beginning

We spent the remaining time exploring outside the city, and finally, the day of the entrance ceremony arrived.

The large auditorium was filled with students, each emitting their own sounds, filling the hall.

Glancing at that scene from afar, I turned my gaze to the side.

There, Mary stood, displaying a slight tension and an undeniable excitement on her face.

“It’s finally starting…”

I wonder why she’s so excited about just an entrance ceremony, but perhaps it’s my side that’s wrong, not Mary.

After all, my inherently unsentimental nature might be a factor, and the undesired admission could be another.

Most of those gathered here would probably show a reaction similar to Mary’s. Well, this is Ferdion Academy.

Ferdion Academy, the undisputed best educational institution on the continent.

Just by entering, you are recognized for your level, and upon graduating safely, you grasp a tremendous honor, a place where dreams converge.

It’s not a lie that just having a diploma eliminates worries about making a living, to the extent that you don’t have to worry about rising to prominence beyond that.

The moment one becomes part of this great academy, most students would be harboring excitement in their hearts.

Speaking for myself, if it were possible, I’d gladly have someone else enter in my place.

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Anyway, as I was observing the new students with disdain, someone ascended the platform.

“Nice to meet you, everyone.”

A light voice echoed throughout the auditorium.

Although his appearance only gave the impression of a kindly old man, everyone here knew that he was not just an ordinary old man.

He was a renowned magician and a famous scholar, recognized across the continent.

Belluid Demens, the headmaster of the Perdion Academy.

“First of all, welcome to the academy.”

With his greeting, my unwanted academy life began.

***

Enrollment in the academy is like a starting signal for the original story.

And the story that has set off from the starting line encounters the first event.

“…Sigh.”

“Well, you’ll be buried alive, you bastard.”

A voice that sneaked out unconsciously.

And at the same time, the guy who raised his head, just by looking at his face, seemed far from being an exemplary student. That guy’s name is Jack.

He is my roommate.

He comes from a commoner background and majors in magic.

Being a commoner himself and having a laid-back personality and good communication skills, we became quite comfortable with each other in just a few days.

“Get ready soon. We’re running out of time.”

“Fine…”

At Jack’s words, I had no choice but to suppress my unwillingness and get up.

Today is the day of the banquet.

This banquet, organized by the student council under the pretense of getting to know each other and building friendships among incoming students, offers good food and drinks. So, there won’t be many who dislike this event.

Well, not that it matters… of course, I don’t want to go.

In fact, attending the banquet is not mandatory or forced.

However, I still choose to attend because not participating would draw attention.

Extras shouldn’t stand out. I’ll quietly blend in.

With those thoughts in mind, I reluctantly left the dormitory with Jack and started walking towards the banquet hall.

“Ah.”

As we were almost reaching the banquet hall, I came face-to-face with a familiar face.

Well, there is currently only one person I can call a familiar face.

“…Hmph.”

That one person, Mary, opened her eyes wide as she faced me, then quickly turned her head away. She then walked briskly into the banquet hall.

From her reaction, it seemed that she was definitely upset.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Jack, who was walking with me, asked with a puzzled expression.

Even if he didn’t know the situation, he could tell that something was not right.

Mary’s reaction must be because of the class registration.

Although our majors are different, Mary wanted to align her schedule with mine for all of her other classes, but I refused.

Since I didn’t explain the reasons properly during that process, I expected her to be upset to some extent.

“It’s nothing.”

There was no need to hide it, but it wasn’t necessary to explain everything right now.

“Hmm, okay.”

Since Jack didn’t seem overly concerned, we entered the banquet hall as we were.

“It’s so spacious.”

Jack’s impression after seeing the interior was just as he said.

Indeed, it was overwhelmingly large compared to most lecture halls.

We stood there, observing the surroundings and found a suitable place to stand.

The area was already filled with incoming freshmen.

They had already formed groups and were engaged in conversations.

“Is this an academy or a social gathering?”

Jack muttered as he observed the scene.

It wasn’t so much that they looked like just-adult students, except for the fact that they were wearing uniforms.

It’s because their motives were transparent and that’s why it felt that way.

Connections. They were trying to build connections.

Not to mention the nobles, there were quite a… well, a substantial number of commoners who also came to the academy for that purpose.

I don’t really think badly of their actions.

Everyone has their own values and their own way of living.

“Thank you for attending this gathering.”

At that moment, someone revealed themselves at the head table of the banquet hall.

In an academy uniform based on black and white, a conspicuous red necktie stood out.

It meant he was a second-year student.

Dazzling blond hair, blue eyes, and distinct facial features portrayed an appearance akin to the princes dreamed of by young girls in fairy tales.

“The student council president from the Elbrent Empire, known as Kairen.”

Murmurs spread.

Well, that’s understandable.

Even I, who has no particular interest in this side of things, know he’s a well-known figure.

The Empire, one of only two existing in this world.

He is the Crown Prince of the Elbrent Empire and, above all, one of the original male leads.

“And here are the presidents of the other student councils.”

Kairen said, extending one arm.

The direction his arm pointed, that is, aside from him, there were several people standing in the honored seats.

As the academy gathers students from each country, there are separate student councils for each nation.

The reason? Well, perhaps to prevent conflicts?

During events at the academy, each student council usually negotiates opinions or takes turns handling tasks to prevent disputes.

Seeing Kairen step forward, it seemed to be the Elbrent Empire’s turn this time.

“Now, please enjoy the banquet comfortably.”

With Kairen’s bright smile, the banquet began.

***

The banquet had started, but I didn’t move from my seat.

I simply stood and looked around the banquet hall until the face I desired appeared.

And soon enough, I found it.

The figure of Mary, smiling and chatting with people.

‘Looks like there’s no problem.’

I didn’t have big concerns from the start.

Mary is sociable, and she’s fairly perceptive.

She’ll make friends on her own, and she’ll leave an impression on the male leads without me having to worry.

“Hey, look at those fancy faces.”

As I observed Mary quietly, Jack’s admiring voice reached my ears.

Wondering what was going on, Jack turned around and saw the guy with wide-open eyes, smiling.

“Do you see that? He’s the son of General Eveltus, the nephew of the Imperial Treasurer, and the famous disciple of the Sword Saint, not to mention the heir to the ‘Golden Hand.’ Kya.”

After hearing that, Jack understood why the guy was reacting like that. Commoners, or rather, even most nobles, would find it fascinating to see people with such prestigious names in person.

Of course, I wasn’t particularly interested.

“Huh? Hey, where?”

“Just… not feeling well.”

I decided to check on Mary’s condition and pass some time.

First, I needed to get out of this stuffy space.

After leaving the ballroom, I wandered through the spacious building and found a terrace in a secluded corner on the third floor.

I glanced around, and there was no one.

Well, in the midst of the ongoing party, I doubted anyone else would come to such a remote place.

Suddenly, the window opened, and I stepped out onto the terrace, immediately looking up at the sky.

The party had started around evening, so the sun had already hidden itself, replaced by the moon and stars.

Breathing in the chilly night air along with the view, I felt a small sense of liberation.

I could just stay like this until the end of the party and then blend into the crowd leaving. With that thought, I endlessly gazed at the night sky.

Meanwhile,

Tap, tap.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps.

The footsteps gradually approached, and shortly after, the terrace window gently opened on both sides.

Then, a woman with rose-like red hair entered the terrace.