In retrospect, the wiki article never ntioned Prince Gideons actual opinion of Victoria. Everything ntioned was reactionary to Victorias actions against the protagonist and by extension, the targets. The ga was played through Alessas point of view, so unless one of the love interests said sothing or made noted action in regards to Victoria, their opinion of her was never explicitly expressed.
Tori entered the ga assuming that it would start at a level playing field. The characters didnt know each other and the rivalry was created and built up after first contact. It didnt occur to her that other characters could have already heard of her and her notorious reputation.
Now that she knew this and was aware of Gideons blatant disgust, Tori wished she could grab Victoria and scream at her.
You fell in love with a douchebag, Victoria! What the fuck were you thinking? Hes not even that hot!
At the very least, Tori was assured that she would have no positive feelings for the second prince after their first encounter. In fact, she had just the opposite.
You know what, if you want to believe unfounded rumors without bothering to fact check them, thats your problem. Any politeness she wouldve had vanished. He was the one who set the tone. Tori lifted her hand and gave him a dismissing wave before walking away. Go ahead and be willfully ignorant.
She heard his indignant gasp and wouldve loved to turn around and see his aggravated expression, but she was too busy strutting away like a queen.
Ilyana chased after her with a worried expression. Tori, that was the second prince!
Prince or not, hes still a citizen of the empire and a student. He should have the decorum of one! Deja vu. Still, Tori glanced at the distraught Ilyana and couldnt help but feel a bit guilty. She lowered her shoulders and her proud stance eased. Sorry, Ilyana. I shouldnt have dragged you into it.
Her roommate knit her elegant brows together, thought for a mont, and shook her head. No, youre right. You studied hard to get accepted. Its offensive that your hard work is disregarded so easily.
Toris eyes softened. Thanks, Ilyana.
Ilyana shook her head again. Im telling the truth. No matter, youre here now, so what does it matter what you ranked?
Tori took in a sharp breath and hesitated. I ranked 78, she said, under her breath. Ilyana cocked her head.
What was that?
I ranked 78. It was fine on paper, but when she admitted it out loud now, in the presence of a real classmate, she was a bit ashad.
Ilyanas eyes went wide and her mouth was agape. Oh...oh.
Okay, that hurts.... Tori sighed. What about you?
I ranked...second.
Ilyana avoided her eyes and Toris lips squeezed into a line. How in the world did the second ranked student get stuck as a follower of Victoria? This ga was ssed up.
Lets just find our electives. Tori unrumpled her map and led Ilyana around campus. Finding the elective classes and other important buildings was a simple matter and so they returned to their dorm to unpack and then have dinner at the dining commons on the ground floor.
Tori could only sit awkwardly across from Ilyana as they ate, with a two table buffer space of empty tables between them and everyone else who ca to eat. Sorry about this, she said as she lowered her head to eat so soup.
Ilyana sat up straight, almost defiant. Im not willfully ignorant. I know where I stand.
Tori threw her a thankful look and swore to herself that shed treat Ilyana well and make sure to keep her out of any trouble. Of course, the ga world is never so good to a villainess. Just as they were finishing their al, a shadow lood over their small table.
Dont unpack. Im going to speak to the headmaster about expelling you tomorrow.
Tori closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Did this imperial asshole have nothing better to do? She opened her eyes, refusing to acknowledge the second prince.
Im done here, Ilyana. You?
Also done. Ilyana dabbed a small cloth serviette on the corners of her lips and then tossed it down on the tray. The two of them stood up from their seats and picked up their trays.
Dont ignore . Gideons icy voice stopped her after two steps. People like you who pay their way in have no right to act as if they belong here.
Her hands turned pale as she gripped the wooden tray. Ilyana frowned as she glanced down and saw Toris tray tremble.
Listen, if His Royal Highness wants to waste his ti, thats your business, Tori said after taking another deep breath. But since you dont want to see , lets just agree to stay out of each others sight.
She walked ahead and shoved her tray into the collection slot before stalking outside. The cool autumn air did little to cool her head. When she and Ilyana reached their room, Tori grabbed her thick student manual from her desk and violently twisted it, almost ripping it in half.
Hed already disparaged her that afternoon; why bother doing so again that evening and in front of a quarter of their dorm?
His accusations are unfounded, Tori. You dont have to worry. No one is going to expel you, Ilyana said with an affirmative look.
Tori nodded, but that wasnt her biggest problem.
It was clear she was on the princes shit list, aning that she was now also opposite Fabian. That was two love interests that shed already beco enemies of and she hadnt even t the protagonist yet.
Two out of eight enemies confird. Great job, Tori.
It was a miracle she was able to be at all at ease that weekend. She kept tossing in her bed, dreamless, but filled with anxiety and rage. When she woke the next morning, the sun hadnt risen and Ilyana was still asleep. With her nerves still wired, Tori took out a spare blanket and laid it on the floor next to her bed.
Ilyana woke to find her roommate doing planks. Tori...did you sleep on the floor last night?
No, this is a form to improve my posture, Tori replied as she finished counting to a hundred. I stretch and do so light exercises in the mornings. I hope you dont mind. Ill be quiet.
Ilyana shook her head and gave her an admiring look. No, no, you are from a martial family. You must be used to this kind of diligent training.
Ilyana gave her way too much credit, but Tori didnt correct her. The next two days were much calr. The next day, they spent most of the day continuing sorting through their things, then going to collect books from the Lyce bookstore. Tori paid for their books to be delivered to their room, as several were quite thick and there were two sets. They waited in their dorm for the books to arrive before going to get an early dinner in an effort to avoid confrontation. It was an uneventful evening.
The day after, they made a list of what they wanted to buy for their dorm room and then went shopping. Tori confidently led Ilyana around the areas where shed explored with her brother and his underclassn several days prior. They ended up with a few packages of things to bring to their room.
Ilyana, who had no shortage of money of her own, treated Tori to dinner off campus in return for the book delivery fee. The two stopped by a small grocery and pastry shop to buy so snacks before returning to the dorm. Despite the stares and whispers, Ilyana showed no signs of abandoning her roommate and Toris appreciation for her grew.
Tori was surprised she still had day-before-school jitters when she went to bed that night and ended up doing another set of morning exercises to let off so energy before finally going to sleep. In the morning, the two took turns in the small washroom beside their entryway. Ilyana offered to help Tori with her hair, but Tori gathered the wild mass of hair and shaped it into her usual bun at her crown. She then folded a green scarf and tied it as a headband.
Tori grabbed her book bag, which she prepared the night before, and slung it across her body. Today was the first day of the first years orientation week. Upperclassn wouldnt start their classes until the week after, but many had already returned to prepare for the upcoming school year, thus, the campus was lively.
Toris classes would be light that week; more general introduction before they dove into the bulk of the subjects. Kasen had warned her ahead of ti not to think the classes were easy based on the first week.
That morning, the first two hours of class would be given up for an assembly. She and Ilyana followed a herd of young green and white clad students into an auditorium after they ate a quick breakfast.
There were two auditoriums; a smaller one that fit one full year of students and a larger one that fit the entire student body. Today, they were in the smaller one, but many of the students had never been in such a large building. Ilyana suggested they sit sowhere closer to the front and Tori nodded.
As they walked through, Tori looked around for the protagonist and the love interests. While she had an idea of their features, what was in her mind from the wiki articles were the 2D CGI drawings of them in an ani-style. After seeing four of the targets in person, she realized the 2D drawings from the app didnt translate perfectly into a 3D living person.
For instance, the protagonist, Alessa, was blonde. There were dozens of blonde girls in the audience. Tori had no idea who she was.
She opted for finding the love interests. At the very least, she could avoid the ones she recognized. The first one she saw was surrounded by a group of followers: Constantine, the popes son. She frowned and hoped they didnt have the sa horoom.
Tori caught sight of the second prince with his ani-main-character silver hair. At his side was his loyal Fabian. As for the rest, she didnt worry about them for now. She sat down next to Ilyana and waited for the assembly to begin.
The lights began to dim and students who were standing around chatting or coming in late scrambled for a seat, like cockroaches scattering when the light went on. On the stage, a dashing old gray-haired man in a suit stepped out and welcod the students. He introduced himself as Headmaster Laurent.
Tori patiently listened to his speech outlining what the students were to expect, what was expected of them, and how they were the best of the best in the empire and this should be reflected in their actions and speech both on campus and off. Afterwards, he introduced the heads of the departnts.
Each head instructor gave a brief introduction of their departnt and themselves. Tori and Ilyanas departnt was Social Studies. The students in that departnt mainly dealt with people or planned to as their future career. For Tori, she selected it because she wanted to learn more about the people and the empire. For Ilyana, she wanted to go into business and help her father expand the family business both inside and outside the empire.
After an hour or so, Headmaster Laurent stepped out once more.
I am pleased to introduce you to the first-ranked student of your year, who scored perfect on the main exam and attained the highest total of bonus questions this year, Dimitri Guthry. He brought his hands together to begin clapping as the auditorium followed.
Toris clapping ca to a halt. She sat up in her chair and narrowed her eyes as a young man in a hunter green blazer, a white shirt, golden tie, and black pants - the boys uniform - walked out from the right wing of the stage and lifted his right arm to give a wave to his classmates.
A charming smile was on his face as looked from the crowd of students to Headmaster Laurent and shook his hand before smoothly turning to the podium.
Good morning, fellow classmates, he said. The bright smile never left his face. My na is Dimitri Guthry.
Tori clenched her jaw.
Dimitri Guthry, only son of Pri Minister Guthry and one of the favorite love interests in The Romance of Soleil. He was a native of Horizon, coming from an old and highly respected family that had produced nurous political leaders. They were not nobles, officially, but Dimitri was very popular in the wealthy and young political circles of the capital, even more so than Gideon, due to his approachable personality.
He was a handso youth: neat, straight black hair, green eyes, and dium-fair skin. His features were defined and he was well spoken, easily keeping the crowds attention and energy up.
Hes really good-looking, huh, Tori? Ilyana whispered beside her.
Yeah.
The protagonist certainly had plenty of high quality choices. However, high quality love interests for Alessa ant high quality neses for Victoria. This one in particular had untapped political power. He finished his speech, thanking his fellow students and wishing to work well with them in the coming years.
The auditorium echoed with applause and Toris lackluster clapping wasnt noticeable. Tori could only narrow her eyes as the first ranked student of her class confidently walked off the stage. She didnt care for his amiable smile.
Tch...never trust a career politician.
Reviews
All reviews (0)