Admission Ceremony (1)

Three days had passed since Ethan, Isabelle, and I began our communal life in the academy dormitory.

Unlike the previous mornings, today I woke up a bit earlier than usual and started preparing to go out.

Because today was the day of the academy’s freshman admission ceremony.

By the way, due to Ethan and Isabelle’s earnest request, we agreed that I would change clothes in Isabelle’s servants’ waiting room. They said that since the important thing was just sharing a bed, there was no need to show them me changing clothes.

Thinking about it, it made sense, so I accepted it without much objection. After all, changing clothes wouldn’t make Isabelle’s living space feel cramped.

And with me in a different room, Ethan could change clothes more comfortably without worrying about me watching.

“Today’s your first day of school, right, Lillith?”

“Yeah.”

“It feels like just yesterday we were working together as junior maids at the Blackwood mansion. Who would’ve thought Lillith would enroll in the academy…”

“I can hardly believe it myself.”

Even I hadn’t expected that I, as Lillith, would enroll in Lumina Academy-specifically, the Magic Department, which only nobles could attend.

Right after my transmigration, I went through all sorts of hardships just to avoid a bad ending. Now, wearing the academy uniform, I felt a strange mix of emotions.

“Hey, Lillith.”

“Yeah?”

“That outfit you’re wearing… is that the academy uniform?”

“Why? Does something look off?”

“Well, it’s not exactly ‘off,’ but it kinda looks like something other than the academy uniform…”

Isabelle gave me a puzzled look as she examined my outfit.

Well, I did make some modifications after trying it on.

Not in the way Korean middle or high school students might alter their uniforms-by cutting or shortening them-but by adding a few elements to give it a different feel.

I added some white fabric reminiscent of a maid’s outfit to the existing academy uniform and tied a white sash around the waist.

“If I don’t wear something like this, people might not realize I’m Young Master Ethan’s personal maid.”

“You want people to know you’re his maid? Well, looking at that outfit, anyone would think you’re a maid, but…”

“That’s all I need. The academy doesn’t penalize uniform modifications as long as the original isn’t damaged, so this should be fine.”

“I’m not sure if you need to go that far to emphasize being a maid, but… it’s your choice, Lillith.”

I brushed off Isabelle’s slightly concerned remark and finally put on the white headdress I always wore.

If I stuck close to Ethan in this outfit, anyone would immediately recognize me as his personal maid, so at least no petty nobles would pick fights with me just because I was a baronet’s daughter.

I had truly done my best in every aspect of preparation.

“Well then, I’ll go to the admission ceremony with Young Master Ethan. Since it’s the ceremony today, we might come back a bit early.”

“Oh, okay! Don’t worry about me-just take your time and have a good time with the young master!”

“…A good time?”

…Well, I guess the academy admission ceremony could be considered a good time.

I dismissed Isabelle’s slightly odd remark and left the servants’ waiting room, returning to the spacious bedroom.

There, Ethan was already waiting for me, dressed in his academy uniform.

A white dress shirt, a red tie, and a navy-blue uniform tailored to fit.

Over his shoulders was the Blackwood family’s black cloak, clearly symbolizing his status.

With his naturally black hair and dark eyes, the dark-toned outfit suited him well.

Though he looked a bit tired under the eyes-maybe he hadn’t slept well last night.

“Are you ready, Young Master Ethan?”

“…Yeah, Lillith. Took longer than I thought…”

“Is something wrong, Young Master Ethan?”

“…Did you make that outfit yourself?”

“Yes. I added a few elements to the original uniform to emphasize my identity.”

“…Are you really going to wear that headdress and lace straps too?”

“Without these, how would people know I’m Young Master Ethan’s personal maid?”

“…….”

Ethan, sitting on the chair and looking up at me, seemed to have a lot to say.

But he didn’t voice any objections-just stood up and finished preparing to leave.

…If he has something to say, he should just say it. Why hesitate like that?

“Well, if that’s what Lillith wants…”

“The admission ceremony is at the First Grand Hall, Young Master Ethan.”

“Yeah, I heard about it yesterday.”

“Take care, Young Master Ethan! You too, Lillith!”

Leaving Isabelle behind in the dormitory, we headed to the First Grand Hall for the admission ceremony.

…Now I’ll finally get to see for myself.

Just how closely the story of 『Lumina Academy』 is following the original game.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

The academy’s admission ceremony wasn’t anything particularly special or grand.

Mostly, it was just about announcing which department each student was entering, giving a rough idea of the game’s future storyline.

After seeing 『Lumina Academy』’s endings about five times, I usually just held down the X button to skip the cutscenes.

…But today, unlike before, I needed to pay close attention to this ceremony.

Since I hadn’t been able to interfere with the other characters’ backstories as a player, I needed to confirm exactly where and how their stories had diverged.

If the protagonist had meddled in the backstories of other characters, the list of top students in each department could sometimes change.

For example, delaying the enrollment of Thomas, the top spearman known as “Thomas the Wind Spear,” by a year through pre-story interference.

Or making Silena, the “Divine Archer,” who should never have left the Forest of the World Tree, enroll as the top archer.

With enough preparation, you could even manipulate the enrollment of key characters to make the later story easier-or, conversely, make it hellishly difficult by forcing essential characters to drop out before even entering.

I could only desperately hope that the guy with the insane alias “Gyeotmwa Josyegigot” hadn’t just been trolling.

“The students whose names I call now are the top and vice-top students of each department. Please come up to the stage.”

With those words echoing through the hall, the announcer began calling out the names of the freshmen one by one.

The first student called was, as expected, the top student of the Swordsmanship Department.

“Top of Swordsmanship Department, Gyeotmwa Josyegigot Volt.”

Well, I expected this much. If the protagonist enrolled in the Swordsmanship Department, it was only natural he’d be top.

At the very least, it meant the protagonist had basic combat skills-which wasn’t entirely bad news. Though it was a bit disappointing Ethan didn’t get top rank.

“Vice-top, Ethan Richard Blackwood.”

“Congratulations, Young Master Ethan.”

“…I’ll be back.”

Hearing his name called as vice-top, Ethan walked confidently to the stage with a strangely relieved expression.

Seems he was a bit worried he might not even make vice-top.

Well, I’d already confirmed that Natalie and Karaham had enrolled in the Swordsmanship Department, so Ethan being vice-top didn’t really disrupt my plans. The only characters in the Swordsmanship Department who played significant roles in the story were these three, including Ethan.

“Top of Spearmanship Department, Thomas Jameson.”

…At least he didn’t troll this one.

By the way, Thomas was the childhood friend of Natalie, my favorite character in the game, so I had a bit of a guilty conscience regarding him.

In my past life, I’d deliberately manipulated the pre-story to prevent Natalie and Thomas from being in the same year, leaving her lonely for a year so I could take his place and romance her.

It was all in the past-and just a game at that-so I shouldn’t feel too guilty, right?

“Top of Archery Department, Silena Isold.”

“…Huh?”

Wait, Silena?

If Silena enrolled this year, that means that “Gyeotmwa Josyegigot” guy went to the Forest of the World Tree during the prologue?

It’s surprising that someone with a name like that was so diligent.

‘Is he seriously trying to complete the entire game? Or did he just bring Silena because she’s his favorite character…?’

Silena was the only elf heroine in 『Lumina Academy』, making her overwhelmingly popular among elf enthusiasts.

Though questions remained, Silena’s enrollment was a very positive sign.

With her around, the hunting festival event in the second half of Part 2 could be cleared with minimal losses. Of course, the protagonist’s abilities would still play a role.

After that, the announcer continued calling out the names of the top and vice-top students from each department.

Among them, I recognized several familiar names from 『Lumina Academy』.

The top of the Martial Arts Department and overall top student, “Princess Seraphine of the Moonlight Shadow”; the top of the Magic Department, “Agnes the Inferno”; Seraphine’s bodyguard and vice-top of the Technology Department, “Luke the Shadow”; and the top of the Pharmacy Department, “Witch Lara.”

Just as I was starting to relax, thinking the story wasn’t just on track but even improved, the name of the Pharmacy Department’s vice-top snapped me back to attention.

“Vice-top, Lizzie Lynn August.”

…What?

Why are you here?