After leaving the restaurant, Luke wandered around the area looking for a place to stay. He wasn’t sure if he could find a room on such short notice, but fortunately, the restaurant's head chef had recommended a decent inn nearby.

“Room 302,” the innkeeper said, handing over a key.

“Thank you,” Luke replied as he ascended the stairs to his room.

The exterior of the building looked aged, which had made him a bit wary, but the interior was reasonably clean. Since he only planned to stay for one night before leaving the next day, all he needed was a bed to sleep in.

After unpacking his belongings, he found himself idly gazing out the window. The thought of the drunken men from earlier, likely discovering the hefty bill he’d left them with, crossed his mind. Still, he doubted they’d be able to track him down. He’d deliberately chosen the farthest inn from the restaurant among the chef’s suggestions.

Luke took a quick wash and flopped onto the bed. The old frame creaked ominously, adding a slightly eerie touch to the room’s atmosphere. Since he needed to leave early the next morning, getting some rest was essential to replenish his energy. Slowly, he closed his eyes.

The faint ticking of the wall clock was the only sound filling the small room. The streetlights outside had already gone dark, leaving the area shrouded in stillness—a perfect setting for sleep. Yet, Luke found himself unable to drift off.

“Isn’t the new Commander the heir to that famous ducal family? No matter how much they preach meritocracy, you can’t tell me that family’s influence wasn’t involved.”

The words from the drunken men at the restaurant spun chaotically in his head, refusing to let go.

“Now that I think about it, that kid used to hear things like that back in the academy too,” Luke muttered to himself.

Theo, the eldest son of the prestigious Redrick Ducal House, had earned the top spot in the Imperial Military Academy entrance exams with his outstanding scores. Yet, his peers didn’t admire or respect him. Instead, they concocted rumors, claiming he’d used his family’s influence to cheat or secured his position through unfair means.

It was all baseless jealousy, stemming from the fact that Theo was not only the son of a famous duke but also possessed extraordinary talent as a soldier. At that age, it was easy for peers to feel envy and inferiority toward someone like him.

Unlike Luke, however, Theo never bothered to respond to the provocations or ridiculous rumors.

“I wonder... What did I do back then?”

Unable to sleep, Luke let memories of the past bubble to the surface.

***

"Did you hear? The results for the first Humanities exam came out yesterday."

"What? Already? The exams aren’t even over yet," one cadet said, incredulous.

The spacious room on the first floor of the academy, equipped with evenly spaced tables and walls lined with shelves of military science books, served as a lounge for cadets to relax and chat. Although the exams weren’t finished, a few students were always present in the lounge, even if it wasn’t as crowded as usual.

"The professors must’ve already finished grading. The rumors are spreading fast," the other cadet replied.

"So, who was it? That exam was insanely hard. I thought it was meant for senior cadets, not first-years."

One of the cadets added that he’d been so stumped during the test that he’d considered writing an apology letter to the professor on his answer sheet.

"It was Theo Redrick. You know, the guy who topped the entrance exams."

"The son of Duke Redrick? Seriously? How does someone who’s already so skilled with a sword manage to ace academics too? It’s just unfair."

"Unfair? You think that’s all his own ability?" another cadet scoffed.

Since most of the other students were either cramming in the library or holed up in their dormitories, the lounge was relatively empty except for the two cadets chatting away.

"There are rumors his father paid to get him the test answers."

"Is that even possible?"

"He’s Duke Redrick. What isn’t possible for someone like him?"

Just as they were about to weave yet another baseless rumor, a dark shadow fell over the two cadets.

"So… how much would a test like that cost to buy?"

"Ah, crap! You scared me!"

Startled by the sudden voice, the cadets spun around. Standing behind them was Luke, his thick glasses perched askew on his face. His disheveled hair, deep eye bags, and gaunt expression screamed of someone who’d been drowning in exam prep.

"Lu-Luke," one of them stammered.

"You know, guys," Luke began, placing a hand on each of their shoulders with a resounding thud.

"I have some advice for you. Instead of running your mouths off, maybe crack open a book once in a while. It might actually help. You extras."

"Ex-extras?"

Their faces twisted in offense, but Luke’s grip on their shoulders tightened, cutting off any rebuttal.

"Cadets who disrupt the academy’s academic atmosphere with excessive rumors are subject to disciplinary action," Luke recited, his tone icy.

The color drained from their faces as they registered his words.

"Now, if you understand, scram," Luke added, releasing their shoulders and giving them a light pat.

The two cadets glared at him briefly before bolting out of the lounge like frightened rabbits.

"Ugh, I shouldn’t have pulled an all-nighter," Luke groaned, removing his glasses to rub his strained eyes. He’d been awake for almost two days straight now.

The academy’s exams spanned five grueling days, infamous for their breadth and difficulty. Even among other prestigious academies, the Imperial Military Academy’s exams had a reputation for being especially punishing. Some first-years were so overwhelmed by the initial test that they dropped out entirely.

Being a soldier wasn’t just about combat prowess or physical endurance. Strategic thinking, minimizing losses, and achieving maximum results were all essential military qualities. In short, a competent soldier had to be sharp.

"If I keep trying to keep up with Theo, I’m going to keel over from exhaustion," Luke muttered, grabbing a blanket he’d stashed in the corner of the lounge.

Too tired to make it back to his dorm, he’d been napping in the lounge whenever he could. It was during one of these naps that he overheard the ridiculous gossip from the two cadets.

If buying test answers were truly an option, Luke thought wryly, he’d be the first in line to do it. As Theo’s rival, he couldn’t afford to slack off—not even in academics.

"Ugh, I’m so tired," he groaned, leaving the lounge and heading toward the central staircase.

Half-dead as he shuffled down the corridor, he spotted Theo coming from the direction of the faculty offices. Theo paused when he noticed Luke.

"I heard I came first in the Humanities exam," Theo said casually.

Luke’s eyebrow twitched. So the extras hadn’t been entirely wrong.

"But there’s good news," Theo continued.

"What’s that?" Luke adjusted his glasses with a scowl.

"You came second."

"Wow, great news," Luke replied sarcastically, clapping his hands in mock applause. The guy was mocking him in the most refined way possible.

"Didn’t you say at the entrance ceremony that you’d beat me and take the top spot? Looks like the gap is already widening."

"Hey, hey, the exams aren’t over yet! There are still two days left. Long and short, we’ll see who comes out on top. Don’t get too comfortable with that smug face of yours," Luke snapped, hugging his book tighter to his chest.

Theo watched him for a moment, then averted his gaze. "You don’t believe the same things as the others, do you?"

"What things?"

"The rumors about me using my father’s influence to steal test answers or whatever."

Oh, so that nonsense had already reached Theo’s ears. At this point, it was probably circulating among most of the students. Rumors meant to tear someone down always spread like wildfire.

"With that stick-up-your-butt personality of yours? Not a chance," Luke replied bluntly.

"……."

"You wouldn’t do something like that."

Because he was the protagonist. A protagonist wouldn’t stoop to such petty, underhanded tactics. Of course, Luke had other reasons for trusting Theo, but that alone was enough.

"But if you ever did pull something like that," Luke continued with a sly grin, "I’d hunt down the evidence, get you expelled, and take the top spot for myself."

It was half a provocation, half a warning. Luke didn’t think Theo capable of such behavior, but if there was even the slimmest chance of it, he wanted to squash it completely.

"Don’t worry. I won’t be expelled, and you won’t take the top spot from me."

"Good. Great."

With a determined glare, Luke marched up the stairs. Thanks to that smug bastard, he was wide awake now. He’d make sure to ace tomorrow’s mathematics exam, no matter what.

Just as he reached the top of the stairs, he turned back to glance at Theo.

For some reason, Theo had his hand over his mouth. Through the slight gap, Luke could see the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.