GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 17.2 - Class::Quarter

"That way," Celia pointed at a broad avenue where a steady stream of pedestrians flowed in a single direction.

As they continued, the scents of grilled meats, fresh pastries, and something distinctly buttery filled the air. Vel's attention landed on a nearby stall displaying an array of delicacies—rows of fluffy cakes, crisp pastries, and something that looked eerily like taiyaki from his old world. But what really caught his eye was the enormous, clam-shaped burger resting on a wooden tray.

"What in the world..." Vel muttered, pausing for a closer look.

The vendor, a burly man with arms thick from years of grilling, noticed his interest and grinned. "First time seein' a Grandmouth Burger, lad? Special recipe from the western isles—clamp-shaped bread, seared meat, and a secret sauce passed down for generations!"

Vel eyed the towering structure of the so-called burger. The bread had been carefully baked into a rounded, shell-like shape, while the filling overflowed with thick layers of grilled meat, lettuce, and cheese. It was impressive—and a little ridiculous.

"I bet I could eat that," Celia said, tilting her head.

Vel gave her a doubtful look. "You? You struggled to finish that meat skewer in Elnor."

Celia pouted. "That was different. It was too salty."

Before Vel could reply, a young man at a nearby stall drew his attention. He held a glowing jewel that pulsed with blue light, casting soft reflections across the counter. The vendor's careful handling revealed all Vel needed to know.

"That's not for decoration," he murmured, stepping closer.

The vendor, a lanky man with a sharp smile, noticed Vel's curiosity. "Ah, good eye, sir. Noticed the enchantment, did you?" He tapped the jewel lightly, and a faint shimmer rippled across its surface. "Mana-infused ice crystal. Keeps the goods cold. Perfect for preserving high-quality treats like these."

Vel glanced at the display case below, where various frozen desserts sat untouched by the warmth of the midday sun. Ice cream, sorbets, and something resembling shaved ice remained perfectly frozen, despite being out in the open.

"Magic refrigeration," Vel noted, intrigued.

Hileya, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "I've seen similar runes used at Lady Halen's estate to keep drinks chilled. But this one seems... more compact."

"That's because it's an Rime-Tuned Core," the vendor explained, now clearly in his element. "Just a little mana recharge every week, and it keeps things cold indefinitely!"

Celia perked up. "So if I had one of those, I could store desserts without worrying about them melting?"

The vendor chuckled. "If you can afford it, missy. These cores don't come cheap!"

Vel mentally filed that information away. Rime-Tuned Core. Practical magic applications like this were exactly what he wanted to explore more at the Academy.

But first, they actually had to get there.

"Alright, enough sightseeing," Vel said, turning back toward the street. "The Academy's not going to come to us."

With some reluctance, Celia pulled her gaze from the dessert stall, and they continued on their way.

Vel stopped in his tracks as the Academy finally came into view. The massive iron gate stood closed before them, with walls stretching far in both directions, marking the boundary between the city and this sanctuary of learning. Even from a distance, the structure commanded attention—imposing yet inviting to those who sought knowledge.

"We made it," he breathed, taking in the sight.

The street leading to the entrance was unlike the others they'd traversed. Wide and meticulously maintained, it featured swirling paved stones that formed intricate patterns. Mana-infused lamp posts lined the path, their crystals dormant in the daylight but still faintly glowing with stored power.

As Vel's gaze traveled upward, he noticed the three distinct banners that hung from the highest points of the Academy's roof. The Church's symbol of divine stars, the Guild's crossed swords and shield, and the Kingdom's royal insignia—the three factions that governed this world, all claiming influence over education.

"The gate's closed," Celia noted, disappointment evident in her voice. "Do you think they're preparing for the test?"

"Probably," Vel replied, approaching the gate and peering through the iron bars.

Beyond the entrance lay a spacious square that branched off toward multiple buildings. The main structure stretched inward, forming a U-shaped compound that enclosed a central courtyard. The architecture reminded Vel of universities from his old world—four stories of corridors and classrooms visible through evenly spaced windows. Several towers rose even higher, breaking the symmetry with their pointed spires.

Below, pathways cut through well-maintained gardens where trimmed bushes formed geometric patterns. Every few meters stood another tri-lamp post, each bearing a smaller version of the faction banners.

"It's even bigger than I imagined," Hileya whispered, standing slightly behind Vel.

Vel stepped closer to the gate, curiosity pulling him forward. As his hand touched the cold iron bars, a jolt of pain pierced through his skull like a white-hot needle. His vision blurred as an interface suddenly materialized before his eyes:

[Keypoint Location Reached]

Verifying Admin Status... Success.Data Synced.+3 Pending Items.

Before he could process the notification, his mind fractured into chaotic fragments.

Images flashed before him too rapidly to comprehend—disjointed scenes overlapping and dissolving. Celia's laugh echoed in his ears, but it sounded wrong—too loud, too harsh, nothing like her usual gentle chuckle.

A blurry figure materialized beside her in this strange vision—tall, faceless, yet somehow familiar. Celia grinned up at this specter with wild abandon, an expression he'd never seen on her face before. It wasn't her—couldn't be her.

Static hissed through his consciousness, drowning out all other sounds. Darkness yanked him downward in a sickening spiral, like falling through an endless void.

Then reality snapped back into focus. The Academy gate stood before him, unchanged. Celia's fingers dug into his arm, her face tight with concern.

"Vel? What's wrong?" she asked, her brow furrowed. "You just... froze."

Hileya edged closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Young master? Are you unwell?"

Vel rubbed his temple, his breath coming in shaky gasps. The pain was already subsiding, but the disorientation lingered.

"Nothing," he lied, forcing a smile. "Just a headache."

But it wasn't nothing. That strange laugh continued to echo in his mind, haunting him with its wrongness. And the system notification...

This wasn't a memory—he'd never experienced anything like it before. Yet it felt somehow personal, almost like déjà vu. Not quite the past, certainly not the present... but not precisely a vision of the future either.

Since unlocking his admin status in the Ossuary, he'd experienced many strange phenomena, but nothing like this disjointed flash of... whatever it was. The intensity bothered him most—raw and invasive, as though someone had forced these images into his mind.