GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 21.1: Access Pending

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"Good morning, Young Master."

I nearly jumped out of my skin. Hileya sat quietly in the chair opposite my bed, silver braids catching the morning light.

"Hileya?" I rubbed my eyes, sitting up. "How did you get in here?"

She lifted a small key from her pocket. "You gave me this yesterday, Young Master. For breakfast convenience."

Right. I had given her the spare. Practical, but waking up to someone watching me sleep was still disconcerting.

"I made breakfast," she added, gesturing to a tray of warm dishes. "Also made portions for Lady Celia and myself, as you asked."

The aroma of fresh bread and savory dishes made my stomach growl. "Amazing, Hileya. Thank you." I pulled up a chair. "Join me, please. No sense eating alone or letting it get cold before Celia arrives."

After a brief hesitation about propriety, which I waved off, Hileya served herself a modest portion.

I asked about her quarters. "More than sufficient," she replied. She paused at mention of the other staff, choosing her words. "They're... curious about my position."

A sharp knock cut her off. Hileya rose instantly, smoothing her uniform as she went to the door. Falken, the wing's caretaker—an older man with a neat gray beard and immaculate staff uniform—stood there.

"Pardon the interruption, Master Novalance," he bowed. "An official letter for you." He extended a cream-colored envelope sealed with the Academy's wax emblem—a tree surrounded by three factions symbols.

"Thank you," I said, accepting it.

"Also, Miss Freznoria is waiting for you in the common room."

I asked Hileya to bring the food to Celia. Once alone, I opened the letter:

Following review of your entrance examination performance, I would like to discuss your placement at the Academy.

Please meet me at my office today at noon.

Regards,

Instructor Lyvenna Thalassan

I folded the letter, my mind racing. A private meeting with Instructor Lyvenna? Definitely not standard procedure, especially before official results were out.

What about my "placement" needed discussion? Had my test performance drawn too much attention? The crystal's bizarre reaction had certainly been unusual. Had I revealed too much during the written exam? I'd tried to balance my answers, to appear knowledgeable without being suspiciously informed about theories beyond my supposed background.

If the Academy suspected something unusual about me, I needed to approach this meeting carefully, prepared to explain myself.

I dressed, splashed water on my face, and joined Celia and Hileya downstairs. They were already chatting over breakfast. Glad to see them getting along.

Celia looked up as I approached, her eyes brightening. She was already dressed for the day, her hair neatly tied.

"This is amazing," Celia said. "I was bracing for rationed meals once classes start."

I smiled, taking a seat beside them. "Morning, Celia."

"What are you planning to do today?" I asked, looking at Celia.