"How does this damn thing work?"
I needed to get to the Elite Assembly...
But this cursed card wouldn't work!
I kept passing it over my smartwatch, but nothing happened.
Frustrated, I sat on a bench beside a garden inside the temple. The place was massive—large enough to contain areas like this.
After leaving the opening ceremony, I had somehow ended up here.
"No use."
This thing just wouldn't work.
At that moment, a soft voice spoke beside me.
"Excuse me... Are you having trouble with something?"
I looked up to find a girl with violet hair tied into a ponytail, wearing round glasses.
She seemed timid, flinching slightly when our eyes met.
Of course, I wasn't foolish enough to waste this opportunity, so I raised the card in my hand with a forced smile.
"I have no idea how this thing works."
She examined the card closely, mumbling to herself.
"It really is an Elite card..."
She leaned in so closely that her head nearly bumped into the card. Seeing this, I quickly pulled my hand back and asked,
"Is there a problem?"
Realizing her actions, she waved her hands apologetically.
"No! It's nothing!"
She rummaged through her pockets before pulling out a card of her own.
"I noticed your card earlier... I have one too."
The card in her hand was black with golden engravings, meaning...
"You're one of the elites?"
She nodded shyly.
"That's right. My name is Adriana Heigevorn, Class B-6."
"That's great! We're in the same class. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
She responded automatically as I stood up from the bench and gestured toward her.
"Since we're heading to the same place, shall we go together? As you can see, I'm lost."
She hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed.
I walked alongside her, and midway, she pointed at the card in my hand.
"Is your card not working?"
"I don't know. I've tried passing it over my smartwatch over and over, but nothing happens."
"Passing it?"
She tilted her head in confusion.
"It doesn't work like that… You need to scan the card using the watch."
"Scan it?"
Now I was the clueless one.
She let out a small chuckle before showing me how it was done.
After fiddling with the holographic interface projected from my watch, a white light was emitted, scanning the card.
Immediately, a stream of new information appeared on my smartwatch.
"So that's how it works..."
Seeing my reaction, she couldn't hold back her laughter anymore.
"Haha... I can't believe you didn't know that!"
Watching her laugh, I scratched my head awkwardly.
How was I supposed to know? I didn't belong to this world in the first place.
Still, since she helped me, I naturally thanked her.
"Thanks, that was a big help."
"It's fine! I was happy to help... um…"
She paused, realizing she didn't know my name yet.
"Ah ! Sorry, I haven't told you my name yet."
I turned to her and introduced myself.
"Frey Starlight, Class B-9."
The moment my name left my lips, I saw her expression shift—her face visibly paled.
She took a step back, and I could see fear in her eyes.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you, Lord Starlight!"
Her voice trembled. It was so exaggerated that I was utterly confused.
"Offend me? What are you talking about?"
"I'm sorry!"
She practically screamed before turning around and running away.
"Hey! Wait!"
I reached out, calling after her, but she didn't stop.
What was that? What just happened?
It was the moment I told her my name...
Was the name "Frey" really that famous?
"Damn it. This is going to be annoying."
Mother… your son is now scaring children.
I sighed and fiddled with my smartwatch.
Using the information I had just received from the card, I navigated my way forward.
A few minutes later, I arrived at a new location.
It was secluded from the rest of the buildings—more like a grand palace than a dormitory.
The massive structure was adorned in white and gold, surrounded by a sprawling garden.
Above the towering entrance, a massive sign confirmed that I was in the right place.
"Elite Dormitory."
I stepped forward but suddenly froze at the entrance.
I tried to move, but my entire body trembled violently.
"What's happening? Why can't I move?"
There was nothing stopping me. No invisible force, no restraints…
My body simply refused to obey me.
What the hell is wrong with you, Frey?!
As I struggled to understand what was happening, my trembling intensified, and I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears.
"Just… what the hell is going on?!"
I turned my head at the sound of approaching footsteps—only to freeze in place.
There, standing before me, was a girl with snow-white hair and crystal-blue eyes.
She wore casual black clothing, yet somehow, they only enhanced her beauty.
I immediately understood the reason for my reaction.
I didn't need confirmation to know who she was.
After all, I had spent hours drawing her image in my mind.
One of the main heroines—Seris Moonlight.
She was the most beautiful girl my foolish mind had ever imagined.
And yet, reality had far surpassed my imagination.
I had stared too long. I knew it the moment she walked past me.
She never even spared me a glance, simply moving forward as I stood there like an idiot.
Once she disappeared from view, I forcibly steadied myself.
"Damn it."
I slapped my own face hard, cursing under my breath.
What the hell is wrong with this damn body?!
I had to admit it—I had been captivated by her, even if only for a moment.
After all, beauty like that shouldn't exist.
But this body… this reaction…
Could it be that Frey's old emotions were still lingering inside me?!
If that was the case, then this was a disaster!
I punched myself again, lecturing my own body.
"You bastard! What are we going to do if she becomes our opponent in the Victoriad?! Are we just going to freeze in admiration while getting beaten to a pulp?! Get your shit together and leave this body to me!"
In a ridiculous scene, a seemingly deranged man stood at the entrance of the Elite Dormitory that day—punching himself.
After half an hour of internal struggle, I finally managed to step inside.
"There's no difference between men and women. I'll crush anyone who stands in my way. Even if she's the most beautiful girl in the world, that won't stop me from smashing her face in."
That was the right mindset… Yes.
At least, that's what I thought—until I pictured her perfect face in my mind, with those mesmerizing features…
"Damn it! Man! She's a man! If necessary, I'll cut her into pieces! Right, Balerion?"
I called for my dear sword, but it was still fast asleep.
"You traitorous bastard."
Finally, I entered the dormitory.
Inside, I found a girl who looked older than me, dressed in a white school uniform, waiting for me.
"You're finally here."
"Who are you?"
She gestured toward herself before announcing,
"Elite Class, Sixth Year… Emma Stone."
"Oh… May I ask why you were waiting for me?"
She looked at me with mild disdain before replying,
"Waiting for you? I'm not here for you, Starlight. I'm here for everyone. I'm part of the Elite Student Council, and we're here to guide new students like you. Now, follow me."
She walked ahead, and I followed with slight hesitation.
"By the way, you do realize you're the last to arrive, right?"
We stepped into a grand hall, its high ceilings adorned with luxurious decor. A central staircase led to the upper floors, while the ground floor itself was a massive waiting area.
Emma Stone smirked before continuing.
"Everyone else is already here."
Before me, two lines of students stood waiting—ten on the right, Class A. Ten on the left, Class B.
Including me.
I froze for a moment before pushing myself forward, feeling the gazes of many.
But they weren't ordinary students.
Most of the main characters were here.
And so it begins.