Free Web NovelChapter 8: Chapter 8: Ambrose Academy
Chapter 8: Ambrose Academy
Evelyne rested her teacup lightly upon the table before turning her gaze toward Andras.
"Your sister returned to the academy this morning," she said calmly. "Her vacation ended yesterday."
Andras showed little reaction.
"Understood."
His voice remained even and unhurried.
Silence settled between them afterward.
Neither appeared bothered by it.
Within noble households, conversations were often measured and restrained. Words carried weight, especially among powerful families like House Darkmoor.
A group of servants stepped forward and began arranging breakfast across the table with practiced precision. Silver trays were placed one after another without the slightest unnecessary sound. Freshly baked bread, still warm from the ovens, slices of roasted meat coated in rich sauce, imported fruits from the southern territories, and crystal glasses filled with dark red juice quickly covered the table.
Another maid carefully poured tea into Evelyne’s porcelain cup before retreating to her position.
The etiquette of nobles in this world was strict to the point of suffocation.
Even something as simple as breakfast followed countless unspoken rules.
Servants moved silently.
Utensils never scraped loudly against plates.
Posture mattered.
Speech remained controlled.
Every movement reflected one’s status.
Andras calmly picked up the silver knife beside his plate and began eating at an unhurried pace.
Across from him, Evelyne carried herself with effortless grace. Every gesture appeared refined, as though noble etiquette had long since become part of her nature.
While eating, Andras quietly considered what she had just said.
His sister had already returned to the academy.
Ambrose Academy.
The place where the true story of Rise of the Sword Hero began.
A faint light flickered in his eyes.
Ambrose Academy was far more than a school.
It was the greatest academy on the continent.
A place where noble heirs, gifted commoners, prodigies, and future leaders gathered beneath the same roof. Throughout history, countless influential figures had once walked its halls.
The academy itself had existed for over a thousand years.
It was founded by the legendary mage Ambrose.
A Ninth Circle Mage.
Even in the current era, his name was spoken with reverence.
Many Ninth Circle Mages had existed throughout history, but Ambrose stood above them all.
Because he had reached the Peak Stage of the Ninth Circle.
In this world, every realm was divided into three stages.
Low Stage.
Mid Stage.
Peak Stage.
The gap between each stage was immense.
Those at the Peak Stage could overwhelm others of the same rank with ease.
A Peak Ninth Circle Mage could slaughter ordinary Ninth Circle Mages without much difficulty.
That was how terrifying the difference became at higher levels.
And Ambrose had stood at the very summit of that realm.
Before his death, he established Ambrose Academy, leaving behind the accumulated knowledge, research, and magical legacies of an entire lifetime.
Since then, the academy had become the center of magical education across the continent.
Kings, dukes, counts, and even royal families competed fiercely to send their children there.
Because graduating from Ambrose Academy meant stepping onto a path of influence, prestige, and power.
Andras continued eating quietly while sorting through the memories of the novel.
Most of the important events within Rise of the Sword Hero took place inside the academy.
The protagonist’s rise began there.
The main heroines appeared there.
The rivalries, betrayals, political schemes, secret organizations, hidden ruins, tournaments, and future wars all traced their origins back to those walls.
It was the true heart of the story.
Officially, the academy accepted both nobles and commoners.
Reality, however, was far less idealistic.
Nobles dominated nearly every aspect of academy life.
Commoners formed only a small minority, and most entered solely because of exceptional talent.
Even then, many spent their years enduring the arrogance and discrimination of noble heirs.
Power ruled this world far more than fairness ever could.
Students entered the academy upon reaching eighteen years of age.
The course lasted three years.
First Year.
Second Year.
Final Year.
His sister had just completed her first year and would soon begin her second.
As for Andras...
He would be entering his first year.
Alongside the protagonist of Rise of the Sword Hero.
The corner of his mouth almost lifted before returning to its usual calmness.
The original Andras Darkmoor had merely been a stepping stone within the academy arc.
A disposable villain.
A minor obstacle meant to provoke the protagonist before being crushed and forgotten.
But things were different now.
This story no longer belonged solely to its original hero.
Andras possessed knowledge of future events.
He knew where opportunities lay hidden.
He knew which individuals would become monsters in the years to come.
Most importantly—
He possessed the Devouring System.
His fingers tapped lightly against the table before becoming still once more.
Three talents already.
And he had only arrived in this world recently.
If things continued at this pace, even the so-called Chosen Hero might one day become insignificant before him.
Across the table, Evelyne quietly observed him while sipping her tea.
"You’ve been unusually quiet today," she remarked.
Andras lifted his gaze.
"I’m thinking about the academy."
"Ambrose Academy?"
"Yes."
Evelyne placed her cup down slowly.
"You’ll enter this year as well."
There was no uncertainty in her voice.
Only calm confidence.
Andras noticed it immediately.
Despite his previous reputation and mediocre behavior, Evelyne had never once doubted that her son would gain admission.
Connections alone could secure his place.
That was the privilege of being born into one of the strongest noble families in the kingdom.
Still, Andras knew the academy would be anything but simple.
Within those walls gathered countless geniuses from across the continent.
Future heroes.
Future tyrants.
Future rulers.
And monsters hiding beneath human skin.
A place overflowing with talent naturally became a place overflowing with danger.
Yet instead of caution, Andras felt anticipation.
His previous life had been unbearably dull.
This world, however, offered endless possibilities.
Power.
Conflict.
Ambition.
Bloodshed.
Everything humanity secretly desired beneath its layers of civility and hypocrisy.
Andras finished the last of his breakfast before setting his utensils neatly beside the plate.
A soft metallic sound echoed through the dining hall.
Ambrose Academy.
The place where the story truly began.
Soon enough—
He would step directly into its center.
