Chapter 11: The Crown Dormitory

The atmosphere inside Noctis Academy had changed overnight.

Yesterday, students had been excitedly discussing new classes, powerful professors, and which clubs they hoped to join. Today, every corridor echoed with whispers about the mysterious first-year who had somehow become the center of the academy's first Void invasion in over twenty years.

I didn't need the stares to know they were talking about me.

The moment I stepped out of the administration building, conversations stopped as though someone had muted the entire campus. Some students openly stared. Others quickly looked away the instant our eyes met. A few gathered in small groups, pretending to study notice boards while stealing glances in my direction.

"...That's her."

"I heard all four Crown Kings protected her."

"They say the Void ignored everyone else."

"No, I heard she fainted."

"My cousin said she released forbidden mana."

"Her first day of school and something disastrous happened, I think she is cursed."

Rumors spread faster than magic.

I lowered my head slightly and continued walking, pretending not to hear them, but every whispered sentence landed like another stone on my shoulders.

Being famous after only one day wasn't nearly as glamorous as people imagined.

"Miss Ashbourne."

The familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned to see Professor Elric, the academy's Vice Headmaster, waiting beneath a flowering silver tree. Unlike the Headmaster, whose presence demanded respect, Professor Elric carried himself with effortless elegance. His ash-gray hair was neatly tied behind his neck, and his emerald robes bore the crest of Noctis Academy embroidered in silver thread.

"The Headmaster is waiting."

I nodded quietly before following him across the campus.

Neither of us spoke during the walk.

Instead, I took the opportunity to observe the academy properly for the first time.

Yesterday had been too chaotic to appreciate its beauty.

Towering castles connected by floating bridges stretched across the mountainside. Crystal rivers flowed beneath enchanted archways, reflecting countless magical lights dancing through the air. Students from every supernatural race walked between classrooms—humans, elves, beastkin, vampires, spirit descendants, and races I couldn't even recognize.

It was breathtaking.

If not for the constant fear sitting inside my chest, I might have believed I'd stepped into paradise.

Professor Elric eventually stopped before a pair of enormous ebony doors decorated with four intertwined crowns.

He pushed them open.

"The Headmaster will see you now."

...

The office was quieter than yesterday.

Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows, painting colorful patterns across shelves packed with ancient books and relics.

The Headmaster stood beside a large map of the continent.

Lucian.

Kael.

Azriel.

Orion.

All four Crown Kings were already there.

Apparently embarrassing myself in front of the strongest people at the academy was becoming a daily routine.

"Take a seat," the Headmaster said.

I obeyed.

He waited until everyone settled before speaking.

"Last night's attack has forced the academy council to make several decisions."

His fingers tapped lightly against the table.

"First..."

"The investigation concerning yesterday's incident will remain confidential."

Relief quietly settled inside me.

At least they weren't announcing everything publicly.

"The students will be informed only that a high-level Void breach occurred."

Kael stretched lazily in his chair.

"So we're pretending nothing strange happened?"

"We are preventing panic," the Headmaster corrected calmly.

Kael shrugged.

"Same thing."

Ignoring him, the Headmaster continued.

"Second..."

He looked directly at me.

"Miss Ashbourne can no longer remain in the First-Year Residence."

I blinked.

"...What?"

"The academy cannot guarantee your safety."

Professor Elric nodded.

"If another attack occurs, ordinary dormitories would become the first target."

"So..."

The Headmaster folded his hands.

"Beginning today, you will reside in the Crown Dormitory.

"Wait..." My brain screeched to a halt. Surely I had misheard. "...The what?"

Kael burst into laughter, clearly he found that funny though I don't see what's funny.

Lucian sighed almost imperceptibly.

Orion looked sympathetic.

Azriel simply watched my reaction.

"The Crown Dormitory," the Headmaster repeated.

"It houses only the four Crown Kings."

I nearly fell out of my chair.

"You're asking me to live..."

I pointed weakly toward them.

"...With them?"

"It is a temporary arrangement."

Temporary? Somehow that didn't make it sound any less terrifying.

"I politely decline," I said immediately.

Five pairs of eyes turned toward me.

"I've known them for less than two days."

Kael grinned.

"I knew she didn't like us."

"I never said that."

"You implied it."

"I absolutely did not."

"You definitely did."

"I literally—"

"Enough."

Lucian's calm voice ended the argument instantly.

He looked toward the Headmaster.

"If this decision has already been approved, discussing it further serves no purpose."

The Headmaster nodded once.

"It has."

I slumped back into my chair.

Apparently my opinion had been included merely as decoration.

...

An hour later...

I stood before the largest residence on campus.

Calling it a dormitory felt almost insulting.

It looked more like a royal palace.

White marble staircases wound through perfectly maintained gardens where enchanted flowers bloomed in every season simultaneously. Crystal fountains shimmered beneath floating lights, while four elegant towers surrounded the central mansion like guardians protecting a king's castle.

"This..."I whispered. "...People actually live here?"

Kael laughed. "You'll get used to it."

"I sincerely doubt that." I said.

Orion smiled warmly.

"Everyone felt overwhelmed their first time."

"I don't think anyone else's first time involved moving in with the four most famous students in the country."

"...Fair point."

Even Lucian looked as though he agreed.

As we entered the mansion, I froze again.

The entrance hall alone was larger than my old house.

Golden chandeliers floated beneath an impossibly high ceiling while ancient portraits lined both walls.

A maid bowed politely.

"Welcome home, Your High—"

She stopped abruptly.

Confusion flashed across her face before she corrected herself.

"Forgive me... Miss Ashbourne."

No one else seemed to notice, but I did and so did Azriel. we made eye contact briefly but neither of us spoke, Yet I could tell he had heard exactly what I had heard. The maid had almost called me... your highness

It was probably a mistake or something, perhaps she mistaken me for someone else.

The system remained unusually silent.

And somehow...

That frightened me even more.

Then another notification appeared.

[New Main Mission Unlocked.]

[Live peacefully inside the Crown Dormitory for seven days.]

[Failure Condition:]

[Do not allow any Crown King to discover your secret.]

My eyes widened.

"...What secret?"

The blue screen faded without answering. Am so unfortunate, I have the worst system ever.

Far away, hidden within the ruins beneath the mountains, the hooded man slowly opened his eyes. A faint smile appeared beneath the darkness of his hood.

"The game..."

He murmured softly.

"...has finally begun."