Chapter 5 — Garden of Beginnings [2]
'Not only the Imperial Family… I might also need to infiltrate the Isrinbloom Ducal Family.'
The manuscript had been hidden in the mansion of the Isrinbloom Family.
So it might be related to them as well.
'Besides, the Isrinbloom Family is one of the Empire's three ducal houses—and one of the Empire's Three Swords.'
In short, they were a family of knights.
Thus, the best way to approach them was to become a knight myself.
Moreover, in this empire, knighthood was regarded as one of the most honorable professions.
Once I became a knight, it would be much easier to access information about my family.
'And on top of that, if I become a knight, I can also revive my family at the same time—two birds with one stone.'
I nodded slowly, organizing my thoughts.
So, in conclusion…
"In this world, my career path is definitely to become a knight."
Truly, life was unpredictable.
I had thought I'd spend my life as a well-off shut-in—never once imagining things would turn out like this.
'But I wonder if I can really become a knight.'
Knights were the beings with the greatest physical prowess in this world.
At the very least, it wasn't the kind of job someone who used to be a shut-in like me could easily take on.
'Still… the body I've transmigrated into seems to have pretty decent physical ability, so maybe it's doable?'
I looked at my reflection in the mirror.
The most striking feature was the white hair, but aside from that, what caught my eye was a well-balanced, sturdy physique.
Muscles that were developed just right, and a body that looked quick and nimble.
It looked like one that would be good at physical work.
'For now, I'll give becoming a knight a try. If it doesn't work out, I can always change paths later.'
There were multiple routes to success in this world.
And since I had personally played through almost all of them, I knew them fairly well.
"In that sense, a knight, huh…"
There were roughly twenty different routes to becoming a knight.
And I remembered them all clearly—because I had tried each one myself.
The only issue was that I had only ever done it in the game.
I knew better than anyone that reality and games were different things.
'Still, I should try what I can. Though… if I want to gather information later, I'll probably have to take the route where I get close to the heirs of the ducal families, huh?'
I was lost in thought, considering what to do next, but then shook my head and got up.
Maybe I had been thinking too much, because my mind was starting to feel sluggish.
I needed a short break.
'There's about an hour left until the entrance ceremony… maybe I should go take a look around.'
Getting transmigrated by a game wasn't something I'd wanted, but since I was now inside my favorite game, there were plenty of things I wanted to see with my own eyes.
"…Let's go."
I changed into my uniform and was about to head out of the room.
But before I did, my gaze fell on my sword—Mistcatcher.
"…Better safe than sorry. And besides, carrying a sword around in this academy shouldn't be a problem."
I fastened Mistcatcher to my waist and stepped out of the dormitory.
---
Lysquare Academy.
It was called an educational institution, but in truth, it was more like a castle.
'I can already tell—I'm definitely going to get lost here at least once.'
I had explored this academy extensively in the game.
But without a minimap, walking around it in person was far more confusing than I remembered.
Still, after wandering around for a while, I managed to reach the place I wanted to see.
"…I never thought I'd get to see this in person."
It was the garden located near the academy's rear gate.
In the center of that garden stood a massive tree, and before it—a statue.
A hooded man carved in stone.
'Right, he was supposed to be the school's founder.'
If I remembered correctly, his name was Arter.
Not that it mattered much to me.
I hadn't come here to see the statue anyway.
"It really is… beautiful."
I smiled faintly as I looked around the garden.
This garden—known in the academy as the "Garden of Beginnings"—was one of my personal favorite places.
'Before logging out each time, I always came here to admire the scenery for a bit.'
Partly because the garden itself was beautiful, but mostly because the massive tree in the center created such an enchanting view that suited my taste perfectly.
According to the lore, when the academy's founder Arter built the school,
He planted this tree at the same time.
Well, lore aside—
This place was simply breathtaking.
It had looked beautiful in the game,
but seeing it in person was on a whole different level.
'Getting transmigrated by this game… maybe it's not entirely a bad thing.'
Of course, I still wanted to return to my original world.
But I couldn't deny that seeing these game locations with my own eyes was truly pleasing.
'I'll stay here for a bit longer before heading out.'
There were about thirty minutes left until the entrance ceremony.
After enjoying the view for another ten minutes, I planned to head to the grand auditorium where it would be held—
"What are you doing here alone?"
"Hm?"
While I was leisurely admiring the garden under the large tree, I sensed someone's presence beside me.
When I turned my head, a female student had approached without me noticing.
A blonde girl—with a face that felt oddly familiar.
"Were you looking around the garden?"
"The garden?"
"Yes."
"I see. It really is a beautiful garden, isn't it? I'd heard rumors that it was especially lovely, so I wanted to visit before the entrance ceremony started."
"Yes, same here. By the way, since you mentioned the entrance ceremony… you're a new student, right?"
[To be Continued]