Bad Born Blood - Chapter 31

Chapter 31

As soon as I arrived at the Royal Accretia Academy, I could feel the stares gathering around me. The students walking around the airfield were looking at me. Their gazes carried a quiet curiosity.

‘They must be wondering why Giselle Kusthoria and I are disembarking together.’

The Kusthoria family was one of the renowned households in the Empire. Giselle, the daughter of the head of the family, would undoubtedly be a prominent figure within the academy.

“The academy students’ identification color is purple, with low saturation.”

Giselle, who was walking ahead, spoke without even looking at me. She tapped her terminal a few times.

Bzzt.

A brief current flowed across Giselle’s coat. The electrochromic function activated, and her clothing turned a shade of purple. Come to think of it, while the students’ outfits varied in style, the consistent theme was the color purple.

“Hmm, the color’s pretty nice.”

I shrugged as I spoke. The Imperial Guard cadet uniform was a plain gray.

“No color-changing function?”

This lady seemed to assume every piece of clothing came with a color-changing feature.

“Cadets don’t need that kind of thing.”

“…I didn’t expect you to come so unprepared.”

“Well, I’m sorry about that.”

I answered nonchalantly. Giselle’s expression turned indignant at my hollow response. Watching her reaction was quite amusing.

No matter how prideful a lady might be, she wouldn’t dare openly defy her extraordinary father. That’s why, even though she was clearly irritated, she was silently fulfilling her role as my guide.

“Follow me. I’ll take you to the dormitory where you’ll be staying for the time being.”

I followed Giselle, observing the academy’s interior as we walked.

‘Royal Accretia Academy…’

It struck me again that I was now standing on the same level as individuals from prominent backgrounds. Unlike the desolate training camp, the landscaping here was immaculate. Passing through the garden, I noticed a towering statue of the first emperor. Beneath it was an inscription of praise.

Praise Dino Accretia, the founder of the Empire—the first Emperor, the Father of the Nation, the Guardian of Humanity.

I turned my gaze away. Every student passing by was equipped with high-grade prosthetics. It wasn’t just their high energy output that made them premium; their craftsmanship was exquisite. Some were custom-made, so exclusive that even their model names weren’t identifiable. It was impossible to estimate how much those would cost.

The prosthetics of these aristocratic students didn’t emit the usual mechanical noise. Their artificial skin was so meticulously crafted that it mimicked every detail, down to the sweat glands. Even on a student exercising shirtless, there wasn’t a seam visible on their shoulder.

I spotted a familiar face while passing through the exercise field. At the same time, he also saw me.

“Ah, Luka!”

He was an Imperial Guard cadet dispatched here, just like me. His name was Felix Eigen. The Eigen family was also a renowned household. Perhaps because of that, Felix seemed to know quite a few people at the academy.

Surrounded by acquaintances, Felix made his way toward me, seemingly intending to have a conversation.

I glanced at Giselle’s expression. She stood still, her face expressionless, simply waiting. It seemed she had recognized Felix Eigen’s status as well and didn’t intend to interrupt our conversation.

“Giselle Kusthoria, I believe we’ve met once before. I’m Felix Eigen, an Imperial Guard cadet in the same class as Luka. May I have a word with Luka for a moment?”

Felix placed a hand on his chest and gave a slight bow. His polite demeanor prompted Giselle to respond with equal courtesy.

Giselle stepped aside, giving us some space and distance. I, too, felt a sense of relief.

“For the Kusthoria family’s lady to be sticking close to you, I guess the rumors are true.”

“Don’t even start. Honestly, I’d have preferred coming alone. What rumors?”

I had a vague idea, but I asked anyway.

“The rumor that the Guard Commander is giving you special treatment. Now he’s making it obvious, going so far as to place his daughter by your side.”

“It’s hard to believe she’s the Commander’s daughter, given how unruly she is. She’s been disrespecting me since the first day. If we were outside, I’d have already broken her nose.”

At my grumbling, Felix burst into hearty laughter. He and I weren’t particularly close.

But we’d spent three years together as cadets. We’d endured countless hardships and, at times, entrusted each other with our very lives. Because of that, cadets of the same class shared a bond that transcended their backgrounds, allowing us to speak freely.

“I didn’t expect you to be dispatched to the Royal Accretia Academy. This place is different from the Imperial Guard training camp, so you’re bound to face a lot of uncomfortable situations. It’s not just Giselle who’ll show hostility.”

Felix indirectly referred to my background. It was reasonable advice, devoid of malice or disdain, purely well-intentioned. Among my peers, none had ever looked down on me for my origins.

However, at the Royal Accretia Academy, there would undoubtedly be plenty of fools who would try to demean me over my background. I had anticipated as much.

“I didn’t want to come either, but it was an order.”

“An order is an order, I suppose. Still, it’s odd they sent you here. Then again, if you look at it this way, it makes sense. The Guard Commander likely wants you to gain some exposure to aristocratic society—for your future. After all, the people you’ll deal with someday will mostly be nobles.”

Felix’s insight was sharp. Most of it was correct. The Guard Commander indeed intended to help me adapt to aristocratic society.

“Haha, or maybe the Guard Commander just wanted to see me struggle in difficult situations.”

I tried to laugh it off. Felix smiled and lightly tapped my shoulder.

“Don’t kid yourself. No matter how strict the Guard Commander might be, he’d still cherish his daughter. After all, Giselle Kusthoria is sticking close to you. Who knows, he might even be planning to take you in as a son-in-law.”

Felix’s reasoning was nearly spot on. There was a secret agreement between the Guard Commander and me. In exchange for keeping an eye on Kinuan, I would be integrated into the Kusthoria family.

‘Though, not as a son-in-law, but as an adopted son…’

If I imagined the scenario of becoming a son-in-law, I wouldn’t stand for someone like Giselle. My personality wasn’t exactly mild, so if my spouse had an even worse temperament, what kind of life would that be? Just thinking about it was awful.

“Luka, so are you heading to the academy dormitory?”

Felix asked with some concern in his voice.

“Would something bad happen if I went to the dormitory?”

“Not really… but if you’d prefer, you’re welcome to stay with me instead of the dorm during your time here. I have a house in Akbaran, and I commute using an aerial vehicle.”

I understood what Felix was hinting at.

“Ah, so the dormitory is where the poor students stay.”

“Exactly. It’s where faux-nobles and those from lower classes end up. That’s why the other students don’t look favorably upon the dorm.”

Even though I knew Giselle was waiting, I continued my conversation with Felix. He provided far more valuable information than Giselle, who was technically supposed to be my guide.

Besides, I had no intention of currying favor with Giselle. As long as Felix was around, she wouldn’t dare cut our conversation short.

The dormitory situation was simple. It was a place where students from lower classes, whose talent had been recognized, and the heirs of fallen noble families stayed out of necessity. Their financial situations didn’t allow them to secure housing in the upper-class zones.

I propped my chin on my hand and thought for a moment before shaking my head.

“…Thanks for the offer. But instead, it’s made me more determined. The Guard Commander wouldn’t have sent me here expecting me to live comfortably.”

“I figured you’d refuse. I only said it to score some points with you.”

Felix withdrew without protest. He, like the rest of my peers, understood my personality well.

After chatting with Felix a little longer, I was about to take my leave. Felix generously shared all the information I’d need to navigate life at the academy. I had a feeling that by the end of this assignment, he and I would become much closer.

“Lastly… Luka, have you had that part modified?”

I felt Felix’s gaze. Following his eyes, I looked down at my lower body.

“Here? No, not yet.”

So far, I’ve only had prosthetics for my arms, legs, right eye, and parts of my hip joint. Felix rummaged through his belongings as if he’d expected my answer.

“Cadets dispatched for assignments have traditionally been quite popular with women.”

With a knowing smile, Felix placed something in my palm. I glanced down to see what it was without moving my head.

…It was contraception.

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

***

The Royal Accretia Academy dormitory was a pristine white building. Though only four stories tall, it stretched far to the sides, with over a hundred visible windows. From its exterior, it was hard to believe it housed fallen nobles and people from the lower classes.

Well, the Royal Accretia Academy was one of the Empire’s top educational institutions. There wouldn’t be a single detail left unattended.

“From here, you’ll be guided by the dormitory manager and android staff. And this is my terminal’s unique number.”

Giselle said, showing me the screen of her terminal.

“Exchanging numbers? Don’t you dislike me?”

I replied indifferently.

“While you’re living at the academy, contact me if anything happens. I don’t intend to ignore the mission my father gave me.”

Giselle seemed to have a sense of responsibility after all. My impression of her improved slightly—like adding a drop of ink to a lake.

“I doubt I’ll have any reason to call you, though.”

I meant it sincerely, not as a joke.

“I hope so too,” Giselle said before turning back the way she had come.

I ignored her and looked up at the dormitory, where I’d be staying for the next two months. Upon entering, an android greeted me with a bow.

The interior was as clean as the exterior. Androids were stationed on each floor, taking care of mundane tasks.

—This is the room assigned to Luka. If there is anything else you require…

“No, this is more than enough. It’s practically a palace.”

I sent the android away.

‘Is this really where fallen nobles and lower-class people live?’

That was my first thought upon entering. The room was twice the size of the one I used at the training camp. A large window offered a view of the outside, and below it sat a stylish four-seater sofa. Opposite the sofa, an entire wall was taken up by a display screen.

“The best of the best really is on another level.”

The Empire has several academies. Among them, the best is undoubtedly the Royal Accretia Academy, named after the Emperor.

‘A place for those who are unsuited for military service but possess exceptional talents.’

Irregulars who excel in areas different from mine gather here. Honestly, I couldn’t deny I was a little intrigued. Perhaps I’d even find common ground with some of them.

My schedule for today was empty. According to the android, the Dormitory Manager was supposed to come find me after classes ended.

In the meantime, I decided to clear my mind.

Srrk.

Sitting on the floor, I steadied my breathing. Even without sleeping, meditation accelerated recovery for the brain and nervous system. Unlike sleep, which requires a transition period before full wakefulness, meditation allows for immediate, heightened concentration right afterward.

Handling high-performance prosthetics, which cause rapid neural fatigue, requires mental discipline as well.

Time flew by while I meditated.

Before long, I heard footsteps outside the door. It wasn’t an android—it was a human. Opening my eyes, I stood up.

A quick glance at the time confirmed that it was when the Dormitory Manager was supposed to arrive.

Before they could ring the doorbell, I stood at the door. The sensor recognized me, and the door slid open.

“Ah, ahh… H-hello! I’m the D-Dormitory Manager.”

The woman, about a head shorter than me, spoke nervously, clearly startled. Feeling slightly awkward, I rubbed the back of my neck.

“Uh, I’m Luka. A cadet dispatched from the Imperial Guard.”

As I introduced myself, I observed her. She wore clothing in the academy’s signature purple hues, but her sleeves and collar were heavily worn. More noticeably, her arms and legs were biological rather than prosthetic. There were no signs of cybernetic parts or implants.

‘Not a noble.’

Her tone lacked the stiffness or refinement typical of nobility.

“Nice to m-meet you, Luka. My name is Barbara.”

As expected, she didn’t have a surname. Not all people from the lower classes lack surnames, but if someone doesn’t have one, it’s almost certain they’re from the lower class. Occasionally, when names overlap, some adopt a surname they like for clarity.

“There’s no need to be nervous. I’m from the lower district too.”

“Oh, so that rumor’s true! That’s amazing. Rising from the lower district to become an Imperial Guard cadet… incredible.”

Being acknowledged always feels good.

“Feel free to just call me Luka. And I’m not the only one who’s made it from the lower district. You’re here at the Empire’s top educational institution, Barbara. And being a Dormitory Manager is a success story in its own right.”

I spoke as if offering an empty compliment, and Barbara, unsure of how to respond, ended up laughing.

I felt a sense of fondness for Barbara. It wasn’t a romantic emotion—just a feeling of kinship stemming from our shared background as lower-class citizens.

‘Barbara must have worked just as hard as I did to make it this far.’

That alone was enough to make me view her favorably.

Barbara closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in and then exhaling. As she opened her eyes, she quickly blurted out her next words.

“Follow me, Luka. I’ll explain everything about the dormitory from now on. Refusal isn’t an option—it’s my duty as Dormitory Manager!”

It seemed like a line she had prepared in advance to come across as witty.

I nodded and followed Barbara out into the hallway. Walking behind her, I caught the pleasant scent of freshly washed hair from her vibrant reddish-gold locks, as though she’d just stepped out of the shower. Her hair still had traces of moisture, confirming the impression.

‘She must have come here right after finishing class and managed to wash up beforehand. She must’ve been pressed for time….’

The instincts honed through Arkies Victima training kicked in on their own. I felt a subtle sense of unease. Still, if Barbara had a diligent personality, that would explain everything.