Although Nineveh is externally referred to as an ‘Academy’, upon closer inspection, it can be said to be an institution of comprehensive
education without any fault.
If one were to compare it to South Korea, it feels as if elentary school, middle school, high school, and university all converge within a single
educational facility.
Best online courses
Of course, such types of educational institutions do exist on Earth as well. There are prestigious schools for the upper class where students can seamlessly transition from elentary to middle to high school in an escalator-like manner.
Best online courses
However, the difference lies in the fact that while schools on Earth may be well-regarded, Nineveh is an illegal institution teeming with ‘real nobles’.
Best online courses
“…This place is ridiculously vast.”
– Did I not say so earlier? It’s much more convenient to take the shuttle bus.
The size of Nineveh was overwhelmingly larger than Jin had anticipated.
Ignoring Erekaya’s insistence on taking the bus, he had been walking mindlessly from the front gate for already ten minutes, but the building Jin was targeting showed no signs of appearing. Instead, all he could see were only extravagant statues, lampposts, and various auxiliary facilities.
– The entire area of Nineveh is significantly larger than that of a decent small to dium-sized city. It accommodates tens of thousands of students comfortably, providing all the necessary facilities for their education, alongside the staff and servants supporting them, all living within Nineveh. At this pace, it might take about an hour to reach the destination.
“…Shouldn’t you have told
that sooner?”
– You were the one who said, since the weather is nice, we should walk to our destination.
With a scoff at Erekaya’s words, Jin found himself at a loss for words.
Only after walking non-stop for a whole hour could Jin finally arrive at his destination.
A building larger than most luxury hotels in Seoul, stunningly lavish, creating an atmosphere that naturally made one feel small.
The structure, which almost seed like a residence ant for so grand noble, turned out to be none other than the dormitory for the High Departnt of Nineveh.
And right in front of the main entrance to the dormitory, as if waiting for him all this ti, stood a woman gazing intently at Jin.
Clad in a female uniform symbolizing her affiliation with the High Departnt of Nineveh, she was none other than…
“The Student Council President of Nineveh, Erekaya del Pendragon.”
She was Jin’s classmate from the sa grade, and simultaneously, the one and only Erekaya del Pendragon, the Student Council President of Nineveh.
“…Ah.”
In that mont, Jin unknowingly held his breath.
It was an incredibly surreal sight.
An expressionless face that nonetheless carried an air of warmth, a perfectly refined countenance.
Beautiful red eyes that seed as if they were polished from gemstones.
Her violet hair, flowing down to her waist, glistening in the light as it danced in the wind.
Could this be the form created by the creator in their utmost effort to embody the very concept of beauty?
Even facing her directly, the fact that such a woman existed in this world felt far too unreal.
…No, it was not an entirely unrealistic sight.
She rely possessed an overwhelming beauty that could turn the environnt around her into sothing surreal.
‘…That face, I just can’t get accustod to it.’
Despite having faced Erekaya del Pendragon a considerable number of tis in the last nine reincarnations, each encounter rendered him spellbound as he gazed at her.
After all, how could one possibly grow accustod to a face like that?
Before the reincarnation, it was rely a face he hated and found contemptible, yet seeing it again now made his heart sink inexplicably.
It felt as if ti had stopped. That fleeting mont stretched into eternity, with silence enveloping the surroundings like a gentle descent.
Without even being able to breathe properly, Jin could only stare vacantly at her face.
– Huuuuuh…
But just then, in the recesses of his mind, Erekaya began to chuckle, wearing a aningful smile.
‘…Wait, why are you smiling like that?’
– No, well. It’s nothing much. I wanted to ask how it feels to et my past self, and if you think you could charm the past , but looking at your state, I figured there was no need to ask.
‘…Ugh.’
For a mont, Jin felt flustered and wanted to deny it, but the very act of reacting served as a sign of affirmation.
“You are the special admission candidate, Jin. Since you don’t have a last na… are you perhaps a commoner?”
“Ah, yes. Well…”
As Jin barely mustered the strength to respond to Erekaya’s words with a nod, she looked at him with a strange gaze.
“…Uh, why are you looking at
like that? Is there sothing uncomfortable? Or do you have sothing to say to ?”
– There are plenty of things I want to say. For instance, how I’m completely captivated by your face, or how I’d like to confess to my past self…
‘…Please be quiet. It’s distracting.’
With a sigh in his heart, Jin shook his head and spoke.
“It’s nothing. I was just a bit curious about the color of your hair.”
“Oh, you’re talking about my hair color.”
Erekaya didn’t seem particularly skeptical of Jin’s excuse, as if she had heard such remarks more than once.
“Violet hair doesn’t occur naturally on the continent. Only those who inherit the Pendragon bloodline are born with violet hair, so people always find it fascinating.”
That was sothing Jin was well aware of. The fact that the hair inherited by Pendragon descendants is a testant to their lineage of transcendent beings.
– In truth, that’s just a pretense. I’ve known from a long ti ago that it’s not my hair but my face that draws admiration.
‘You might want to pretend to be a bit more humble.’
While Erekaya and Jin were having a ntal tussle over self-evaluation, Erekaya suddenly fixed her gaze on Jin.
“…Do you have sothing to say to ?”
“Jin, this is a male-only dormitory. No matter how much I hold the title of Student Council President, it’s a space I shouldn’t carelessly enter. And you’ll be busy with the admission procedures starting tomorrow morning, so I want to inform you about several rules you need to familiarize yourself with while at Nineveh.”
“…Rules?”
What kind of rules could there be at a school attended by re kids?
Best online courses
“First, the staff affiliated with Nineveh generally do not interfere in student affairs. Of course, if a student’s life is in danger or a murder incident occurs, they will naturally intervene, but otherwise, they will maintain a strictly hands-off approach.”
“So, you’re saying that students should resolve their issues among themselves in whatever way they see fit?”
At Jin’s words, Erekaya nodded her head obediently.
Well, it was a rather obvious rule. Although Nineveh nominally identifies as an ‘educational institution’, fundantally it bears a resemblance to a military academy. In other words, it’s more focused on cultivating students’ abilities rather than coddling and pampering them.
Thus, it ans that Nineveh has no concern if students group together, form factions, bully others, or ruthlessly beat up the nerdy ones.
Are you feeling miserable because soone else gave you a hard ti? Can’t handle it? Then grow stronger and give it back! Why are you whining about it to us?
In a sense, one could argue that it’s a very egalitarian approach for an
educational institution. It disregards external power and connections, solely pursuing strength and survival.
To be honest, Jin found this rule quite appealing. It ant that if soone annoyed him, he could just retaliate straightforwardly.
“Second, inappropriate relationships are not permitted. There’s no need to elaborate on the reasons, right?”
“Well, that….”
From a parent’s perspective, they send their children to the Academy by paying a hefty sum, not because they aim to contribute to the Empire’s recent declining birth rates.
“Of course, it doesn’t an that relationships are entirely prohibited. It’s just a matter of not crossing the line.”
Listening to Erekaya’s earnest admonitions, Jin suddenly found himself curious: does Erekaya have any experience in romantic relationships or not?
– Don’t worry. At this stage, I was fully devoted to the school rules, even if the more decisive factor was that I didn’t find anyone appealing.
Best online courses
‘…Ahem.’
For so inexplicable reason, he felt a bit exposed and awkward.
– No need to pretend to be pure now. Isn’t it natural for guys to be like that?
Shaking off the chuckling voice of Erekaya in his mind, Jin intentionally shifted the topic quickly.
“Then, is there a third rule as well?”
“The third rule is that honorifics are not allowed among classmates. You must use informal language with peers and use honorifics for upperclassn, regardless of status. Even if you are a noble, or even a mber of the royal family, there are no exceptions. At least within Nineveh, everyone must adhere to the identity of being a student.”
This wasn’t to bestow fair teaching upon all students without any discrimination.
Simply put, if students start prioritizing their ranks and status over their studies, Nineveh would fall into chaos.
If you were to say to soone, “Why aren’t you listening to
when I bathe and sauna with your dad? I’m uncomfortable being in class with a nobody commoner, no matter how much of an upperclassman he is, I don’t want to treat so lowly noble from the outskirts as my senior.”
If complaints like this were endlessly tolerated, Nineveh would turn into a second National Assembly Building in Yeouido instead of an academy. Then
education, classes, and everything else would be out of the question.
Moreover, I doubt His Imperial Majesty would be fond of such a situation. After all, Nineveh operates as an educational institution, prioritizing the prestige of the state, aning that its reputation directly reflects that of the imperial family.
“However, I have a question, or rather, I have several.”
Since he was told to use informal language, Jin quickly adjusted his tone. Confident in his ability to speak casually with others, he felt at ease.
Admittedly, as a Confucian from the Eastern Kingdom of Etiquette, he felt a twinge of discomfort, but isn’t it customary to follow the local laws when in Ro?
“What is it?”
“Aren’t you also my classmate, Erekaya? I believe we’re in the sa class.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then why are you speaking to
in honorifics instead of informal language? Didn’t you just say that the principle in Nineveh is to use informal language among classmates?”
Upon hearing this, Erekaya rely stared at Jin without saying a word. The silence felt quite awkward for Jin.
“You’re not my classmate yet. And I only use informal language with people I’m close to.”
Erekaya’s expression strongly conveyed a desire not to beco close with him.
– That’s sincere. Apparently, you don’t seem to like .
‘…Why?’
– How should I know? Maybe it’s just that your face doesn’t sit well with her.
As Jin’s face twisted at Erekaya’s snide comnts in his head, the little girl in front of him spoke back curtly.
“So please don’t force
to use informal language with you. Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming.”
– Did you hear that? She’s saying not to speak informally. Isn’t this like being rejected before even confessing?
‘…Enough of your antics. It’s distracting.’
Feeling as if he had been turned down before he could confess brought an odd feeling of despair.
For so inexplicable reason, it felt like a day to have a drink.
Reviews
All reviews (0)