The Academy’s Unwritten Rules

Fitting Into a World That Rejects You

Claude sat at the edge of a marble fountain in the academy courtyard, staring at the passing students.

The realization from the library still weighed on him—his existence was barely acknowledged in the world’s history.

It wasn’t just that he wasn’t part of the game’s original story.

The world itself had only recently adjusted to make room for him.

And yet, Evelyn had already noticed that something was off.

That meant staying unnoticed wasn’t just about keeping his head down. It meant understanding how the world perceived him and how the academy’s social structure worked.

Because one thing was clear—this wasn’t just a school. It was a battlefield.

The Unspoken Hierarchy

Veltrane Academy functioned on a hidden hierarchy beyond just noble ranks.

1. The Top of the Pyramid – The Key Players

• The Crown Prince. Future ruler. Untouchable.

• The Duke’s Heirs. Powerful, influential, and the ones who truly controlled the academy’s factions.

• The Heroine. Meant to rise in status, changing the political landscape.

• The Villainess. A noblewoman who would oppose the heroine—and eventually fall.

2. The Second Tier – The Nobility’s Core

• Lesser nobles with strong political ties.

• Students who aligned with key players to gain favor.

3. The Bottom – The Expendables

• Those without influence. Background characters in the political game.

Claude should have belonged to the bottom tier. A noble in name, but irrelevant in practice.

Yet Evelyn’s attention had already disrupted that.

Which meant he needed to be careful.

A Misstep That Drew More Attention

“Claude Arden, was it?”

A calm voice interrupted his thoughts.

He turned—and found himself facing Julius Albrecht.

A main love interest. The crown prince’s closest aide.

Dark hair, sharp golden eyes, and an aristocratic air that made him seem untouchable.

Claude had no reason to be talking to him.

“…Yes?” Claude replied cautiously.

Julius studied him for a moment before speaking.

“You’re not affiliated with any faction.” It wasn’t a question.

Claude tensed. Another one who had noticed.

Julius continued. “That’s rare for a noble.”

Claude forced a polite smile. “I prefer to focus on my studies.”

Julius raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Is that so?”

There was a weight behind his gaze—like he was searching for something.

Then, without another word, he walked away.

Claude exhaled, muscles taut.

That was dangerous.

He had hoped to stay in the background. But in just one day, he had drawn the attention of both the villainess and a major love interest.

This wasn’t going to be as simple as he thought.

And the worst part?

It was only just the beginning.

An Invitation He Couldn’t Refuse

Claude had barely begun to plan his next steps when a neatly folded envelope was slipped onto his desk during morning lectures.

No name. No seal.

But the moment his fingers brushed the paper, he knew exactly who it was from.

There was only one person he met in the academy who could send a message without needing to identify themselves.

Evelyn Von Estera.

The contents were brief:

Meet me in the western garden. Third bell.

Claude exhaled slowly.

Ignoring her wasn’t an option. Not after yesterday.

So when the third bell rang, he made his way to the academy’s western gardens—an isolated, carefully cultivated space meant for nobles who preferred privacy.

And there, seated at a stone table beneath a white pavilion, was Evelyn.

She didn’t look up as he approached. Instead, she continued sipping her tea as if she had been expecting him to come without question.

“…You called for me, Lady Estera?”

Finally, she lifted her gaze, her amethyst eyes gleaming in the afternoon light.

“Yes,” she said, setting her cup down with a soft clink. “Sit.”

The Villainess’s Test

Claude lowered himself onto the chair across from her, careful to keep his expression neutral.

Evelyn didn’t speak immediately. Instead, she reached for the teapot and poured him a cup, her movements unhurried and precise.

Then, without looking up, she said:

“Tell me, Lord Arden… do you consider yourself an ordinary noble?”

Claude didn’t answer right away. He knew a trap when he heard one.

“…That depends,” he said carefully. “What do you mean by ‘ordinary’?”

Evelyn’s lips curved slightly. “Good. You’re cautious.”

She leaned back in her chair, studying him as if he were a puzzle to be solved.

“You see, Claude,” she continued, voice smooth, “I make it a point to know every noble in this academy. Their status, their ambitions, their allegiances.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“But you? You don’t fit anywhere.”

Claude felt a slow chill creep up his spine.

This was different from before. Yesterday, she had merely been curious.

Today, she was testing him.

A Careful Response

If he denied everything, she wouldn’t believe him. If he admitted too much, she would dig deeper.

So he chose his words carefully.

“Perhaps I simply don’t stand out.”

Evelyn tilted her head. “A noble who doesn’t stand out is usually aligned with someone who does.”

She tapped a manicured finger against the table. “Yet you belong to no faction. No alliances. No rumors.”

She met his gaze, her violet eyes unyielding.

“That makes you far more interesting than an ordinary noble.”

Claude kept his posture relaxed, but his mind was racing.

Evelyn wasn’t just perceptive—she was relentless.

And if she had already decided that he was interesting, then avoiding her was going to be impossible.

So he did the only thing he could.

He smiled.

“A compliment from Lady Estera? I must be lucky.”

Evelyn chuckled softly. “Flattery won’t get you out of this conversation, Lord Arden.”

She took another sip of tea before setting her cup down with deliberate precision.

“But very well. I’ll let you go—for now.”

Claude knew better than to think this was over.

As he stood to leave, Evelyn spoke one last time:

“I suggest you be careful, Claude. The academy is full of watchers… but the ones who truly see are far fewer.”

He paused.

Then, without turning back, he replied:

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

And with that, he walked away—knowing full well that Evelyn Von Estera wasn’t done with him yet…