As an Ordinary person (Why do I keep attracting Psychopaths?)

The giant gecko like creature is the last to emerge.

The teenagers as if to act before another monster pop up ran towards the flag. Once they touch the flag, their body disintegrated and vanish from their position.

Likely, the flag is a medium for teleportation.

This kind of teleportation method need a stationary fixed coordinate and cannot be moved, once it was moved, the teleportation cease its effect.

Yuna push Austin slightly who was still embracing her tight "Let's go, others are leaving"

"Hmm"

Austin lean away, he slide his hand down and grab a hold of Yuna hand "Lets' go"

Yuna pause momentarily but does not struggle in the end.

Touching the pole of the flag, Yuna felt a momentary dizziness, the same dizziness when they were transported into the forest trial.

Austin stabilizes her before she could fall.

Closing her eyes and taking a shallow breath, Yuna try to shake off her dizziness.

Up front, there are three teachers that sat beside a table. Students in uniform accompany two of the teachers.

Behind the tables erect a flag that represented each academy.

Before Austin could grab her hand again, Yuna took a step forward and make her way straight to Evigheden table. Austin who was about to follow was obstructed by enthusiastic teenagers.

The moment he appear, all student focus their gaze on him.

He stepped out of the dense treeline, his breathing calm. The scent of damp earth and fresh-cut wood still lingered in the air.

He appeared clean and unharmed, his breathing calm. The Competition Forest—a grueling test of skill, survival, and combat—had taken its toll on many hopefuls. Some had emerged limping, some bandaged, and others not at all.

There are many who arrived right after Austin and Yuna. Some even hiding more securely and waiting for the battle with Cockatr to finished before coming out.

And here he was, untouched, his sword still pristine, and his steps steady.

The moment he crossed the threshold into the academy's admission grounds, the murmurs started.

"That's him."

"The one with cool sword technique"

"He don't look even injured like us."

A small crowd had gathered near the registration pavilion, students, nobles, and instructors alike. Many were in line waiting for their names to be registered, but now their attention had shifted—to him.

Austin sighed inwardly. Great. Attention.

"Excuse me!" A young teen rushed forward, excitement in his eyes. "That was incredible! I saw you take down that Ironbreak—alone! How did you do that?"

Before Austin could respond, another voice jumped in. "And he took it down with just one unique sword strike"

"I bet he's a noble. No commoner fights like that."

Austin rubbed his temple. He wasn't a noble. He wasn't anything special. He just fought because he had to. He unleashed his sword technique because that thing aim at Yuna.

More students edged closer, eager to talk to him. Some looked nervous, others excited. A few were clearly hoping to befriend him, their eyes filled with admiration.

Then, another voice spoke—clear, noble, and full of authority.

"You fought well."

The crowd parted as a young man in fine yet practical attire stepped forward. His regal posture and the embroidered crest on his shoulder immediately gave away his identity. Prince Alaric Kaelar, heir to the Empire. Unlike the eager students surrounding Austin, his expression was composed, but his gaze held deep interest.

"You came out of the forest untouched," the prince continued, watching Austin carefully. "That is… remarkable."

Austin hesitated. What was he supposed to say to a prince?

Dealing with those of high societal standing is annoying.

Before he could even think of a response, another voice cut in—this one older, firmer.

"A talent like that should not be wasted."

An older man stepped forward, his long coat marking him as an instructor. His sharp, assessing eyes lingered on Austin's sword, then on Austin himself, as if dissecting every movement he made.

"Master Aldric," someone whispered in recognition.

The famed swordmaster of Oriel Academy. A man who rarely spoke unless he had something important to say.

"Your stance, your control—flawless," Aldric said, nodding in approval. "And yet, you are self-taught, aren't you?"

Austin frowned slightly. "I've had no formal training." Be it in this life or in his previous life.

A murmur ran through the crowd.

"Even more impressive," Aldric mused. "With the right guidance, you could become a legend. Join Oriel Academy. Train under me. I will make you into something far greater than just a swordsman."

The atmosphere shifted. A direct invitation? From one of the most respected swordmasters in the kingdom?

Prince Alaric crossed his arms. "It seems I'm not the only one who sees potential in you." His lips quirked slightly. "If you do enroll, I hope to see more of you"

The way he said it wasn't just polite interest—it was a challenge. After all, young people tends to be competitive.

No one believes that he will reject the offer. It was a direct invitation from Oriel Academy and even straight from the famous swordmaster itself.

Austin glanced around. Eyes full of expectation stared at him. Admiration. Curiosity. A hunger to know more about him.

He had walked into the academy grounds to register quietly. Instead, he had somehow become the center of attention.

He sighed.

Attention is annoying, those from people with genuine admiration and those with jealousy and most of all, Yuna will hate it.

While the people thought it is a forgo that Austin will accept the invitation, a soft but clear voice called out.

"Austin" The voice said "The registration is here"

There was minute flicker of silence when Yuna call out Austin.

She was standing pristinely, her gaze staring straight at Austin— waiting as if he will come to her obediently.

A heavy silence hung in the air. The crowd waited with bated breath, expecting Austin's answer.

They ignore the girl who doesn't seem to amount much. Nobles moves according to their interest and Yuna who does not offer much does not elicit much response from others.

Her action right now seems more like she try to attract attention and even caught sight of Master Aldric himself, hoping to get some recognition as well.

Surely, he would accept. Who in their right mind would reject an invitation from Oriel's greatest swordmaster? A chance to be trained by Master Aldric himself was a privilege only a handful in the Empire could dream of.

Austin, however, simply inclined his head slightly—polite, but firm.

"I appreciate the offer," he said, his voice steady, "but I must decline."

The reaction was immediate.

"What?"

"Did he just…?"

"Reject Master Aldric?!"

'This scene looks so much like something that will happen inside a novel' Yuna mused silently. The first hand audience member—the feeling is quite something.

A few gasps escaped the teenagers, some of them even whispering in disbelief. Others exchanged bewildered glances, as if Austin had just spat on a royal decree.

'Man, those cannon fodder reaction' Yuna don't know whether she would laugh or cry at such heated reaction.

Master Aldric's expression barely flickered at first. He simply blinked, his brows raising a fraction as if waiting for Austin to correct himself.

When he didn't, the air around the swordmaster darkened ever so slightly.

"You refuse?" Aldric's voice was measured, yet there was something dangerous lurking beneath the words. "Are you certain you understand what you're turning down?"

Austin nodded. "I do."

Aldric exhaled through his nose, then took a step closer. The once-respectful curiosity in his gaze had cooled into something sharper.

"It would be a shame," he said slowly, "if someone with your talent… went unnoticed."

The weight of the words settled over the crowd. A few students visibly tensed.

'Oh my God! I sense a cannon fodder antagonist!' Yuna exclaim inside her head.

Austin, however, remained unfazed. "I'm sure I'll manage."

Aldric's fingers curled behind his back, his grip tightening as his tone dropped. "There are many who would not be so forgiving of wasted potential."

A few students stepped back instinctively, sensing the undercurrent of threat in the swordmaster's voice. Some looked to Austin, expecting him to back down, to apologize and reconsider.

But he didn't.

Austin simply met Aldric's gaze and tilted his head slightly, as if considering his words. Then, he said, calmly and without a hint of fear:

"That sounds like something an incompetent teacher would say."

Even Yuna take a deep breath 'Damn, the main character is still the main character! This scene…this scene is so exciting!'

The crowd froze.

Aldric's lips thinned into a hard line. A few students actually gasped aloud, their hands flying to their mouths in shock.

"Did he just—"

Even the noble students, who normally prided themselves on being composed, stared in horror. No one—no one—spoke like that to Master Aldric.

A few of Aldric's former students instinctively stepped away, as if expecting Austin to be cut down right then and there.

For a moment, there was only silence. Tension so thick it could be cut with a blade.

Then, a smooth voice interrupted.

"Master Aldric," said Prince Alaric, stepping forward with a lazy, almost too-casual smile. "Surely, Oriel Academy wouldn't hold a grudge over one student declining admission, would they?"

It was spoken lightly, pleasantly even, but the weight behind it was clear.

A warning.

Aldric turned, his sharp eyes narrowing just slightly at the prince. The two locked gazes, an unspoken battle of authority taking place.

Aldric was a respected swordmaster. But Alaric was the future king.

The crowd, sensing the shift in power, held their breaths.

After a long pause, Aldric finally exhaled, his expression smoothing out.

"Of course not," he said, his voice regaining its neutral tone. He turned back to Austin, his gaze still sharp. "You may have chosen your path, but paths have a way of… changing."

With that, he stepped back, his coat swishing as he turned, leaving the crowd whispering in his wake.

The students immediately exploded into murmurs.

"I can't believe he refused!"

"And insulted Aldric to his face!"

"Is he crazy or just that confident?!"

Prince Alaric, however, simply smiled, glancing at Austin with something akin to amusement.

'Umm….I can smell a hint of slyness in that smile' the radar inside Yuna head is going off, something that rang incessantly when she chance upon black-bellied people. Well, at least when she chance such character in a novel.

"You do have a way of making things interesting," he mused. Then, with a small chuckle, he added under his breath, "I think I'll enjoy watching what you do next."

Confident that the interesting person he stumble upon will register himself in Evigheden Academy, he walk towards the registration booth and register himself. Although registering in Evigheden Academy is not his original intention, a change of plan didn't seem to hurt much if he can make acquaintance with someone like him.

A commoner background, talented and clearly a genius—he has to win him over his side at all cost.

Yuna moves slightly making way for the crown prince who treat her as air.

He turn back to Austin and said "I hope we can have some tea together and make acquaintance with" he then tore off the teleportation scroll and disappear from the view of others.

Noble children attend academy not only to become stronger but also to make connection. Who else is the best connection other than the Crown Prince? And so, like dominos effect, most noble student step forward and decisively register in Evigheden Academy.

Austin and Yuna also register in Evigheden academy as planned.

The Arryn siblings, as a blood element user does not clash well with Oriel academy. They also register in Evigheden academy.

Holding the teleportation scroll, Austin Asked "Should we go as well?"

Yuna wave her hand "No hurry, I want to see who more will register here"

Saying so, Yuna sat beside Evigheden teacher who remain quiet the whole time as if nothing concern him. He does even not lift his brow during the previous commotion.

He is an interesting teacher.

Yuna smile slightly at the teacher, she like this kind of nonchalant teacher!

"I don't like that Oriel Academy teacher" Yuna start, looking at the students who emerge from the forest and came forward to register "You don't have to register here and accept his offer you know?"

"Without Yuna?" Austin look down and smile at Yuna who was sitting, he lift his hand and caught a strand of Yuna hair, slowly tugging behind her ears, he said with a tone that was soft enough to suffocate people "How can I bear to be apart from you?

Yuna purse her lips uncomfortably "Don't be corny" She tilt her head a bit to get away from Austin hand.

Austin merely laughs but didn't speak further.