It takes a few more days, but I finally arrive at the Knight Academy.

Just like with the Royal Academy, the Royal Family oversees the affairs of the Knight Academy with the aid of the Nobles. In this place, however, the status of Knights is elevated to an extreme degree, and Non-Knight Students are ostracized.

Female students are ostracized even more, though, as it is a relatively new practice to allow women into Knighthood.

In fact, less than two decades ago, this wasn't even a thing.

However, after Lady Beatrice of Dustinville became very popular, the Randalorion Kingdom revised its policies.

Speaking of Lady Beatrice, even though I never met her, her uncle—Sir Jerome Sirius—was my master in my previous life and my sister's master in this life. Speaking of Selicia, she really adored this female Knight, and her story was the main inspiration behind my sister's adamant stance on becoming a Knight.

I doubt I'll be meeting Lady Beatrice in this life as well, since she is all the way in Dustinville, one of the Large-sized Kingdoms on the Continent.

But… who knows?

Life works in all kinds of mysterious ways.

Now, for the Knight Academy, even as I stand in front of the gates, I can feel its grandiosity.

Naturally, it isn't as elegant as the Royal Academy, but it has its charms.

At its most exterior, the Knight Academy appears as a fortress. It rises like a fortified citadel on a gentle hill overlooking the world around it.

Its architectural style balances aesthetic nobility with pure battlefield functionality.

Many even refer to it as the Fortress of Honor.

Below it is a large town called Oleop, also known as the Battle City, where all kinds of Mercenaries and strong people gather to challenge one another. There is even a battle arena at the center of the city, among other things that contribute to the culture.

Looking back at the Knight Academy, I gaze upon the tall battlement walls of gray-white stone that encircle the entire school. Towers flank each corner, each flying the insignia of the kingdom. If one looks carefully, one can see the foundations shimmer faintly, revealing the defensive Armaments the walls are equipped with.

From afar, it resembles a great fortress-temple: part military stronghold, part sacred institution.

However, at the main gate, the entrance is a massive ironwood gate reinforced with steel ribs.

Above it rests a carved relief of the kingdom's first knight, Sir Arthur Snow—sword raised toward the sky. Legends say that this man helped the first King establish his authority in the Randalorion Kingdom and was his most trusted servant.

Two armored guardians stand watch at all times, their tabards bearing the academy's crest: a crossed sword and quill, symbolizing both martial might and discipline of mind.

Once I show them my identification, I am let in without any difficulty.

This leads me to the central courtyard, also known by Academy students as the Heart of Training.

The vast courtyard is paved with polished stone. When I attended the Knight Academy my past life, this place was always lively, filled with trainees practicing footwork, sparring, or being drilled by instructors barking commands.

Looking around now, it seems nothing has changed.

A circular fountain with a marble statue of the founding knight stands at the center of the yard. I easily spot weapon racks neatly arranged under long awnings. Training dummies, all of which are damage-resistant mannequins, dot the grounds, and sparring circles can be seen marked on the ground.

The air carries the scent of metal, sweat, and determination.

'This brings back memories…' I laugh heartily, making my way to the grand structure dominating the center of this fortress. Its facade features tall pillars, arched windows, and banners in royal colors.

Of course, this is none other than the Main Academy Building.

Beyond the entrance is a high-ceilinged hall illuminated by glowing lanterns. The walls are adorned with portraits of legendary Knights; old, ceremonial weapons encased in glass; and finally, the academy oath carved into stone

A red-and-gold carpet runs down the middle, leading deeper into the institution.

Beyond this long corridor are the classrooms.

These lecture halls are where trainees learn strategy, history, battlefield medicine, Magivore lore, and military ethics.

'If I remember correctly, each classroom should have tiered seats, a blackboard for teaching, then maps, code-of-arms charts, and training manuals…' This thought proceeds through my mind as I decide to take a small stroll through the corridors to confirm this.

I'm not wrong.

Walking through this place, I easily sense how strict, orderly, and surprisingly quiet the atmosphere is.

It's nothing like the dorms, which can be very rowdy and even dirty.

But I'm not surprised.

The Knight Academy presents a pristine image to visitors, who are usually members of Knight Households or Nobles. This maintains their reputation and ensures they gain as many donations as they possibly can from patrons.

Only the trainees know how bad the living conditions here can get.

However, the Knight Academy often justifies this by saying it is part of training and that hardship builds character.

I always thought it was an excuse for the Knight Academy to ignore that clear problem.

Even after all this time, the problem is sure to remain. Instead of fixing it, the higher-ups would rather pocket the money or use it for other developments that are more in line with their interests.

'But this isn't my concern…' I shrug and proceed to the Training Wing, a massive section built with reinforced stone, always echoing with exertion.

It is a necessity for physical conditioning and improving the Combat Arts of the Trainees.

These Combat Arts become very important when mastering or even creating a Martial Technique.

I learned all of this in the Knight Academy in my past life, but even more became evident to me in the Royal Academy. There's a reason I graduated top of my class in the Department of Martial & Chivalric Studies.

At first, I only joined the Department to boost my grades, but now… I can clearly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. A lot of my previously held knowledge improved, and I was greatly enlightened in the process.

Learning in the Royal Academy was very instrumental in the development of my Superior Aditi Martial Technique.

'Other than this Training Wing, there should also be the Arena and the Library…'

The Arena is a large coliseum-like space used for examinations, tournaments, and public showcases. Seating surrounds the ring, and instructors usually observe from elevated balconies.

Regarding the Library, it is a quiet sanctuary dedicated to knowledge.

As one would expect from the Knight Academy, it is the least impressive part of the place, with very old and outdated books. Students rarely visit the place anyway, so it only makes sense that it lacks development.

Ah, look at me gushing about my alma mater like this… haha!

I remember that this place also has an armory, though it is one of the most secure buildings.

'Oh? Looks like classes are over for today. The trainees are heading back to their dorms…'

The moment I think about the student dormitories, my eyes darken a little.

Unlike the Royal Academy, student dorms are split into two wings—one for junior trainees, one for advanced cadets.

Regardless of which one you are in, the rooms are often simple, dirty, and barely furnished.

Since Seniors are often fewer than Juniors, their rooms are often in better condition compared to the latter. Plus, they make juniors clean their rooms, which also helps them significantly.

I remember how I had to pay my dues as a Junior in my past life.

Of course, I eventually became a senior and did the same to the juniors below me. In fact, I did worse than my seniors and was quite tyrannical during my time there.

Honestly, thinking about it now… I really wasn't a very good person in my past life.

Once I'm done reminiscing, I navigate my way back to where I came from, passing by the Dining Hall and Healing Ward on my way to the Administrative Office. To submit my admission letter and undertake my exams, this is a crucial step.

Right after the Administrative Office is the Hall of Honors, used for graduation ceremonies and knight investitures.

Inside, there is a marble floor polished like glass, tall stained-crystal windows depicting famous battles, pedestals holding legendary swords of past heroes, and a never-quenching flame honoring fallen knights.

It is even more secure than the armory, and it would take great effort for me to even get in.

However… if I use my Conception, it shouldn't be that hard.

But what's the point?

'I already saw it once in my past life. There's no need to…' With a wry smile on my face, I enter the office and submit all the appropriate documents to the relevant staff.

Afterward, I am told to return the following day for my exams.

Normally, it would take much longer.

However, with a little bribe, the process was completed in the blink of an eye.

As I exit the Knight Academy and proceed to the Battle City not too far off, a few thoughts enter my mind. What would have become of my second life if I had chosen to come here instead of the Royal Academy? I can only imagine…

I could have taken up space in one of the guest residences within the Knight Academy, but I want to explore Battle City a little.

Of course, I don't mean to engage in any fights.

As a prestigious Senior Professor of the Royal Academy, a First Rate Scholar, as well as someone applying to be an Honorary Knight, it won't be a good look for me to go around brawling.

How can someone like me be seen in a Battle Arena?

However, that doesn't stop me from watching, or even placing bets on winners and losers.

Most of my past life's knowledge is useless now, but I still have a lot of information about Battle City and the prominent members there. In my younger days, I would sneak out of the Academy with my friends to watch fights in the Battle Arena.

Those were fun times….

We would often get into trouble if we were caught, but there weren't serious punishments for it.

In fact, the Academy probably lets students sneak out. How else could students leave such a fortified place so easily?

With the kind of security that the Knight Academy possesses, sneaking out should be impossible.

Yet we managed.

'The higher-ups probably wanted students to use it as an indirect method to learn more about fighting and to grow, since the curriculum of the Knight Academy is quite rigid and can be impractical in some cases. However, learning in such a way is unorthodox, and since the status of Knights is elevated beyond the level of normal warriors, they wouldn't be able to openly admit to using this method of training… hence they hid their intentions like this…'

With my years of experience and insight into the world, it's not too difficult to see this.

But so what?

The practice should still be ongoing now, and since it still causes more good than harm… it is an effective way to train future Knights.

'Watching others battle and reaping rewards by betting…' A large smile forms on my face as I advance forward and enter the Oleop.

'That's not a bad way to spend my first day here… hehe!'

***********

The day of my examinations finally arrives, and after returning to the Knight Academy, I am faced with a series of challenges.

First is the Written Test.

Here, I write about principles of chivalry and the history of Knighthood. I also talk about battle theories and answer hypothetical scenarios, also known as problem questions.

Then, there is the Observation Test.

In this round, I observe a series of battles and analyze them based on my current level of understanding. The combat arts employed, the strong moves, weak moves, missed chances, right decisions, wrong counters, and so on.

After these two, I am taken through a series of other tests, such as a Strength Test, Reaction Test, and even the Sparring Test.

In the latter, there are ten levels in total, and the difficulty sharply increases the higher one goes.

The first level is easy enough—a one-on-one duel. After, the number of challengers increases until the tenth level, where the candidate has to face off against thirty people in total, all of whom are Knights.

I passed all of them without much difficulty.

Sure, they had numbers, but they lacked coordination, and all of them were Low-Rank Knights.

They also didn't have Armaments.

With all of these tests now concluded, a final one remains.

"The hallmark of a Knight involves three things: Armament, Martial Technique, and the ability to use one's ability to protect the Kingdom by defeating Magivores." The examiner's voice booms within the grand hall that we now occupy.

I smile.

I expected this already.

"You will now display your Martial Technique, using whichever Armament of your choice, and face off against Magivores in a series of rounds—from Round 1 to Round 10."

I nod in acknowledgment, slowly unsheathing the Armament I already brought to the occasion.

A High-Level C Grade Armament—Dark Edge Slaying Blade!

'First Round will probably feature a Cadre 2 Magivore, and subsequent rounds will feature multiple Cadre 2 Magivores, before eventually reaching Cadre 3 Magivores. I don't think they'll have a Cadre 4 Magivore on standby here…'

It's a shame.

I wanted to see how well I would fare against one with my current set of abilities.

Oh well…

"Are you ready, contestant?" The examiner's voice booms, and I sharply nod without an ounce of hesitation on my face and in my steps.

I immediately take my stance and strengthen my grip on the blade.

'Superior Aditi Martial Technique… ' Turbid air leaves my lips as I focus on the massive gate that slowly opens before me.

Soon, a Magivore will come out, and I'll have to defeat it.

The better my performance, the higher my assessment… which will affect my final ranking.

'I made sure to pass all the other tests flawlessly so I could reach this moment.'

Right now, I have a goal in sight—High Rank Knight!

I won't settle for any less.

"BEGIN!"

[A/N: Do you think you would have liked it better if the MC went to the Knight Academy instead? I'm curious…]

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