The Extra Saved the Terminally Ill Princess and Ran Away - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Entrance Ceremony and Reunion (Finn's Perspective)

***

The eternal stage where sun and moon coexist.

A place where the world's history is rewritten, built upon the foundations of the past.

Some have said, "If you wish to know the future of the world, look to this place…"

A place revered and admired, always introduced with such grandiose words and phrases.

This place, described as such in the story, was Solus Academy, the main setting of Academy Demon Hunter Chronicles, and the place I would now attend.

***

"…This place is just as overwhelming as I remember."

From the outside, the academy appeared to be a collection of Gothic spires, reminiscent of medieval Europe.

But inside, the walls were adorned with a dazzling array of art, a blend of Rococo and Baroque styles, forming a breathtaking backdrop for the towering spires.

The sheer scale and grandeur of the place…

The harmonious blend of architecture and artistic styles…

It was a sight to behold, even for someone like me, who had lived in the Imperial Palace. It was truly magnificent.

"No wonder nobles and commoners alike are so desperate to get in."

Despite its aristocratic appearance, Solus Academy didn't discriminate.

Regardless of nationality, race, gender, or social status, it was a place of pure, unadulterated meritocracy. If this were the modern era, it would be the epitome of a skills-based society.

Naturally, Solus Academy graduates were highly sought after, their names known throughout the world.

As a result, talented individuals from all corners of the continent poured their time and effort into trying to gain entry, even just a foothold within its hallowed halls.

…What is meritocracy, you ask?

I didn't know the exact definition. It was just a setting the author had thrown in.

'I even searched for it online, but couldn't find anything.'

But according to the author…

-As long as you can prove your worth, in any way, you're in! So even weak and helpless heroines can get in, as long as they have something of value, like noble blood!

'That bastard. It's just a cheap trick to get weak and dependent heroines like Lili into the academy, so they can suffer later…'

"This… damn… sigh…"

Normally, I would have cursed without hesitation.

But my lips only twitched slightly, unable to form the words.

'But still…'

I had benefited greatly from that convenient setting.

Thanks to that setting…

Even if Lili failed the entrance exam, her status as Imperial Princess guaranteed her admission.

And even I, a lowly, orphaned commoner, was able to take the exam and proudly wear the academy uniform.

So… I couldn't just complain about the author's convenient settings.

"Sigh…"

A wave of self-loathing washed over me, using the very settings I criticized. I swallowed my bitterness and looked up.

The Solus Academy auditorium came into view.

"…"

She was there. Lili, the one who had given me, a paralyzed cripple, the last embers of her life force.

The one I couldn't face again as Finn, because of my own foolishness.

Finally… I could see her again. I could witness the results of my plan with my own eyes.

Inhale, exhale….

I remembered reading an online post about a guy confessing to his first love.

I imagined he must have felt the same way I did now…

My heart pounding in my chest, a mixture of anxiety and excitement, a strange, indescribable feeling.

"…Lili."

I thought of my Princess, whom I hadn't seen or heard from in a year.

Her face, the last time I saw her before leaving the palace.

Her health, her happiness, had always been my motivation.

I wondered if she felt the same way.

"Sigh… Exhale…"

Thankfully, it worked. A faint smile touched my lips as I thought of her.

Just knowing that she was healthy and attending the academy made my meager sacrifice worthwhile.

'I hope I recognize her…'

A year was a long time for adolescents. Even I, a frail and sickly boy, had transformed beyond recognition.

How much more so for her, whose beauty had already begun to blossom?

Would she look different? Or would she be the same…?

"…I'm curious."

With the anticipation of a child opening a long-awaited gift, I entered the auditorium.

…Unaware that she, too, would be stunned by my transformation.

***

"…"

Glancing around, I saw students from the Alchemy Department, and even the General Studies Department, struggling to stay awake.

The reason was obvious.

Like any other entrance ceremony, Solus Academy's was filled with tedious speeches, a seemingly endless swamp of boredom.

"Now then… let's see…"

The rustling of paper, amplified by a magic tool, echoed through the auditorium.

It was time for the final event of the ceremony.

The annual tradition of awarding gold chain boutonnieres to the top-scoring students of each department.

"I will now call the names of the top-scoring students of each department. Please come up to the stage when your name is called!"

The sleepy students' eyes snapped open, their gazes fixed on the stage.

Some with admiration.

Some with envy and jealousy.

Some with the ambition to use this as a stepping stone to success.

The headmaster, seemingly pleased with our attentiveness, began calling out the names.

"Alchemy Department! Anna Freesia!"

-Clap clap clap clap clap

A thunderous applause filled the auditorium.

But no one cheered or offered congratulations.

They were too busy observing the top student's every move.

If this person was just lucky, they would have to compete, to claim the top spot for themselves.

But if this person seemed truly deserving, they would have to befriend them, to secure a place on their path to success.

"Archery Department! Elania Lifre!"

The Archery Department was no different.

Even when the beautiful elf stepped onto the stage, no one uttered a word of admiration.

'Or maybe they were just mesmerized by her beauty.'

Well… regardless, the result was the same. Silence.

"Divine Arts Department…!"

Following the Archery Department, the Divine Arts, Martial Arts, Spear Arts, and General Studies Departments were called…

"Magic Department!"

'Here comes the main heroine.'

I waited for the main heroine, the only character in this hellish story destined for a happy ending, untouched by misery or regret.

Because this was the scene where the protagonist and the main heroine first met in the original story.

The moment Ian, the top student of the Knight Department, and Selina, the top student of the Magic Department, became aware of each other's existence.

So, I waited for the main heroine's name to be called.

Or rather, I expected it to be called.

…But no such luck.

This damn story always managed to surprise me at the most crucial moments.

Why?

…Because instead of the main heroine, her name… the name of the Princess I longed to see… echoed through the auditorium.

"Lilisiana Yekaterina!"

"…Holy shit."

Something… something was definitely wrong.

***

-Click clack click.

She walked towards the stage, slowly, gracefully, her footsteps echoing through the auditorium.

-Gulp.

That wasn't me. It was someone near me. Or maybe the headmaster… no, it didn't matter.

Everyone's gaze followed her.

Even more intensely than when the beautiful elf had appeared.

Because everyone expected beauty from an elf.

But no one expected a mere human to possess such captivating charm.

'…Ha…'

Except for me. I didn't look at her that way.

I couldn't.

'…What happened to her? She looks so… frail.'

Compared to when she was ill, she was definitely healthier, but… she still looked far from well.

But perhaps that frailty, that vulnerability, was what made her so appealing to the men in the audience.

Her flower-like beauty, rivaling even the elf's.

Her noble bloodline, her grace and elegance befitting an Imperial Princess.

Her well-proportioned figure, evident even in the standard uniform.

And… a certain vulnerability that triggered a man's protective instincts.

'The competition is going to be fierce…'

But then, I decided that this was a good thing.

"N-Next, Knight Department…! Joint top scorers!!"

Because out of all these men...

Only I knew everything about her. Her likes, dislikes, hobbies, even her favorite animals…

'…And we're not even starting on the same level.'

"Ian Cedric! And Berry!!"

I smiled, looking at the boy who stood up at the same time as me.

…Ian, you can have the other heroines. I'll take Lili.

And of course, refusal wasn't an option.

If you say no, I'll kill you.

I didn't know why she looked so heartbroken, but saving her was always my role, her attendant's role.

And while you might have many heroines, I only had one… that proud Princess.

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter