The Royal Guard

Arthur awoke to the sound of crashing. Jumping from the mattress, he assumed an aggressive stance and spotted a snoring George on the floor.

“What the fuck?” he gasped. Arthur clicked his tongue and read the small analog clock on their table. The hour hand was exactly on the fifth hour.

“I only slept for two hours.” he groaned. As a light sleeper, loud sounds like these wake him up.

Massaging his head, Arthur entered the compact bathroom for a shower. Turning on the nozzle, hot water came out. “Talk about civilized living.” he hummed.

Stepping out of the shower, Arthur changes into one of his white shirts and jogging pants. Taking a thermos, he leaves the dormitory.

At the same time, his jog came to an end, a luxurious vehicle arrived at the entrance of the prestigious academy. Painted in red and gold, The vehicle dawning a golden lion and green wreath seal pulled up at the entrance of the Academy.

The old butler exited the driver’s seat and to the passenger seat. Opening the doors, a passenger of beauty exits.

“Milady, You have arrived at St. Clover’s golden Academy.”

“Thank you, Francis.”

Ellis Simmons entered the school grounds with her butler in tow. “Did you bring the Item?”

The old and time-weathered butler humbly nodded. “Yes, madam, I have the item on hand.”

Ellis nodded, taking in the fresh morning air. “Ah, the fresh morning air, how delightful.”

The butler followed the mistress across the grounds with a burning question. “If I may pry, why does madam have a man’s jacket? None of your male noble associates would ever wear such mediocre fabric.”

Ellis hummed, slightly skipping. “You see Francis after my dress was ruined by that commoner, I retreated to the nearest restroom in an attempt to salvage my favorite dress.”

She grits her teeth, remembering the shameful display. “And this boy was there, kind enough to procure me a plate, full of delicacies from the banquet and a jacket to warm up in.”

Francis nodded, checking his pocket watch. “How honorable of him, do you perhaps know the name of this mysterious benefactor?”

Ellis didn't answer, her attention somewhere by the trees. “Perhaps we could ask him,” she said, pointing in the direction of a person.

Francis raised an eyebrow, the person the lady pointed at was panting for breath, against a tree. His attire fit for that of rigorous exercise. “Well whoever he is, he takes care of his health. How commendable.”

“He smokes, I doubt he takes care of his health.”

Arthur didn't notice the individuals approach him from behind, as he proceed to remove his white shirt, as it was soaked in sweat. Taking the thermos he had on hand, he drank a part of it and poured the rest of it on himself.

Ellis directed her eyes to his head, but as she was far off, his toned physique was in view. The boy folded his shirt and twisted the water off of it.

“Shit, it's hot out here.”

“Good morning–”

Arthur jumped back, nearly escaping his own skin. “What the fuck! God, you scared me!”

Francis and Ellis wince at the crude use of language. “G-Good morning, I have come to return your jacket.” She said, passing him the paper bag.

Arthur combed back his wet hair with his hand, before accepting the jacket. “Well thank you.”

They stare at each other blankly, Ellis tried to speak, but his looks were too distracting. “Are you perhaps an exhibitionist? Put your shirt back on.” Ellis coughed.

Arthur chuckled. “Not really, but I know you liked what you saw.” he winked, putting on the shirt.

Ellis frowned. “I-I did not.”

“Then you didn't, no big deal” he smirked.

Turning around to walk away, he waved. “It's been an honor meeting you miss Ellis.”

Ellis stepped forward. “Wait! I want to know your name!”

He turned around to her with two fingers up, a peace symbol. “It's Arthur Haile! Pleased to formally introduce myself!” he chuckled.

Ellis turned to Francis. “Well, his name is Arthur.” she sighed, finally relaxing her tense shoulders.

Francis stared blankly at her. “I see you’ve come to that age.”

“What do you mean Francis?”

“Ah, perhaps another time.”

Arthur jogged back to the dormitory with joy. “My theory was right! When I involve myself with the main cast, the favorability goes up and I level up too!”

[ Ellis Simmons’s favorability: +1.00] [ 1.02%/100.00% ]

[ You have leveled up! ]

[ Status has been unlocked ]

Entering the dorm and rushing to the shared room, Arthur enters to see David awake, reading his magic textbook, and George rubbing his eyes. “Good morning!”

Arthur grabbed a towel and headed straight for the bathroom. George and David share a look. “He’s in a good mood.”

“It’s definitely not a good sign.”

Turning on the knob, Arthur beamed. “Status.”

Arthur felt nostalgic staring at the starting panel. The panel had his name, his level, and his status numbers displayed on a five-sided polygon graph. Arthur’s eyes widen at the two-digit numbers.

[ Arthur Haile Level 1]

[ Strength: 15 ]

[ Agility: 15 ]

[ Vitality: 15 ]

[ Defense; 15 ]

[ Magic: 15 ]

“My status is above average, that’s surprising.” he hummed, scrubbing his body with soap. “The average human has seven on all and maybe a five or four on magic.”

Arthur rinsed it all off and dried himself. Walking out of the bath, he passed by George and David. Taking the neatly bundled school items he hid in his bag, Arthur started to dress in his school uniform.

The academy’s uniform was quite bright– White leather shoes, tan slacks, a white shirt, a golden tie, and a yellow gold coat– Arthur scanned himself. “I don’t look half bad.”

Taking the stack of books and stuffing them in the student suitcase. He left the dorm room and walked down the hall.

Arthur held the personalized handbook and followed the map to blend in with incoming traffic, the academy was built into a repurposed castle, after all, however, he already memorized the layout of the castle after playing the game for twenty years.

Walking on the brick path, he passed by the area where he met Ellis this morning. “This will be my favorite spot from now on, a landmark of how I changed my life.”

Arthur entered the classroom, immediately noticing the auditorium-esque design. The classroom was slopping downwards to the teacher’s podium, which was the lowest point in the room. The teacher’s podium was the incredibly large blackboard.

Seeing the segregation, Arthur sighed. “Just like the game, the ones at the upper half of the room would be the nobles.” Everyone conforms to the rule except a certain blonde heroine–

“Whoa!” a sweet voice gasped, a blonde lady was sitting beside the prince as they discussed something of great interest to the lady.

“Speak of the devil– er, saintess.” Arthur sighed, taking a seat by the window. Setting his briefcase on the table, he claimed a spot.

Taking a deep breath and trying to relax, Arthur caught a glimpse of Ellis, who was incredibly unhappy with a commoner girl talking with her fiance.

Arthur flinched. “Oh good lord, im out of here,” he muttered under his breath, fleeing the scene. Just as he passed the doors, the heightened voice rang out loud and clear.

“What are you doing here!?” Ellis yelled out.

Arthur plugged his ears. “This jealously is quite warranted but even after hearing I again after so long– it still makes me cringe.”

Ellis marched up to the two, Prince Albert flinched at the sight of his fiance. “O-Oh hello Ellis, how was your morning?”

“It was exemplary.” she hissed, emphasizing was. “Now, not so much.” She sat directly beside him, putting Albert in between both ladies.

“So, how was your highness, how was your morning?” She asked, her face brightening up with a calculating smile.

Albert gulped before answering. “It was great, Ellis. "

"Oh, I'm Evangeline Nightingale, An exchange student from the Westererican Empire! Pleased to meet you, miss!" She beamed, stretching her hand.

Ellis gave her a check-up before receiving her handshake. "You're part of those exchange students. I have heard a lot about you, you're a diplomatic chess piece." she bluntly stated.

Albert gaped, "E-Ellis!"

Evangeline sadly nodded. "That is correct. My Empire is quite underdeveloped compared to the Rosegolds, and I have been fascinated by many things!

Ellis was getting more and more uncomfortable and irked with her behavior and how close she was to Albert.

"That is great to hear, I hope the empire has been treating you well– but! I must warn you." Ellis hissed, her brows frowning. "Keep your distance from my fiance."

Evangeline gulped.

Arthur was strolling the school grounds, mindlessly looping around a large circle. By the time he would arrive at the classroom, the little spat between the heroine and the antagonist should be over.

"I'm so bored." Arthur groaned, shoving a hand in his pocket and covering his yawn with the other.

When his eyes closed, he accidentally bumped into someone. "oomph– I'm so sorry about that." Arthur apologized, without looking back.

Continuing to walk, a heavy hand fell on his shoulder, turning him around. "Hey you! Do you think you can just bump into someone like that!"

The blue-haired boy yelled. His hair was combed back and spiky, his eyes were sharp.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I apologize, I yawned and I couldn't see where I was going."

"Shit, it's Shawne Gregory. why did I bump into him of all people–"

Shawne Gregory, proud heir of the Gregory House. The ducal household is known for their magic spearmanship, and their incredibly short temper. The family is one of the Rosegold's most trusted knight families. As such, the heir, if male, is to guard the descendants of the crown.

He is also one of the love interests in the game. One of the most difficult ones, because of his lack of intelligence.

"-and I bumped into a guy like him, how unlucky. He wouldn't let this go."

Arthur raised both his hands in surrender. "Hey man, I'm not looking for trouble– in fact, I'll walk away without a fuss."

Shawne scoffed, grabbing Arthur by the collar. "That's not the point, no one bumps into a Gregory without regretting it."

Arthur just smiled. "Well, I'm clearly regretting it now. Kindly let me go, my uniform is all crumpled up."

Shawne grinned before scoffing. "You're a commoner huh? No wonder you didn't know me."

Shawne roughly frees Arthur from his hold. "I'll deal with you later. Consider this an opportunity to write a will."

"He's quite the bully. Nothing changes I guess unless the heroine changes him."

Arthur watched him walk away before turning away himself, with a smirk. "We'll see, I'm not a fan of being pushed around."

Finishing his circuit around the campus, he entered the classroom to see it almost full and clearly segregated.

"At least class finally starts."

Walking through the aisle, Arthur spots the Royal guard seated three rows behind him. "They sure love the window seat."

Gong! Dong! Bong!

The Academy bell rang loudly, signifying the start of homeroom. A bald man entered the classroom.

He was in his mid-forties and he had a clean-shaven head and a bushy beard. Fixing his glasses, he set the books in hand on the desk.

"Good morning class, My name is Mr. Smith, and I will be your homeroom and history teacher. A pleasure to meet you all."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir!" Evangeline cheerily replied, earning the attention of most of the class. She wasn't ashamed but was beaming cutely like a child.

Mr. Smith chuckled. "That's the energy I like to see." He whooped.

Arthur smirked at the man. He was one of the righteous and unbending professors in the academy, one who would never conform to bribes and was always loyal to the crown. He was a good man.

"I guess for the next seven years, it wouldn't be so bad." Arthur hummed appreciatively at the man's charisma.