Although Luo Yu had little personal interest in school, the moment he stepped through the gates, the youthful energy filling the campus still left him faintly satisfied.
It reminded him that he was living in a world brimming with vitality.
The Lands Between had been vast beyond measure, but vitality was not something it possessed in abundance. Killing intent, decay, and the lingering stench of death—those were plentiful. Whenever he recalled the countless hidden ambushes by prawn soldiers and crab monstrosities lurking beneath murky waters, ready to strike with terrifying precision, his mood inevitably soured.
If they were so skilled at ambushing and sniping, why not contend for the throne of Elden Lord themselves?
Compared to that, attending school—relearning high school knowledge he had long since discarded—was more than acceptable.
As Luo Yu observed the campus surroundings, quite a few students gradually turned their gazes toward him as well.
Though he wore the same uniform as everyone else, his height—just over six feet—and striking features made blending into a crowd nearly impossible.
On his shoulder, concealed from sight, Ranni naturally noticed the surrounding attention. After surveying the area, she spoke in mild curiosity.
"My king, are the skirts of the female students in this world always so short?"
"Oh? That?" Luo Yu raised an eyebrow. "You could call it a regional style, I suppose. Most of them wear safety shorts underneath, so it is not considered improper. At least, that is how I see it. And honestly, these uniforms are not especially short—they almost reach the knees."
Ranni's tone lifted noticeably.
"This is not considered short? What an unusual world…"
Her reaction drew a faint smile from Luo Yu. After all, The Lands Between had never produced anything resembling a sailor uniform.
Continuing their quiet exchange, Luo Yu entered the main teaching building of Sobu High and examined the posted class assignments.
"Class 1-A. The very first class."
He nodded lightly and followed the classroom layout map to locate his assigned room.
When he stepped inside, several students had already arrived. Some were chatting happily in small groups of acquaintances; others sat alone at their desks.
After a brief glance around, Luo Yu chose a seat toward the middle-back row and settled in.
Nearly twenty students were already present, yet none particularly caught his attention. Without further interest, he took out his phone, casually scrolling while continuing his conversation with Ranni.
With people nearby, they communicated through mental resonance rather than speech.
"My king, you have sensed it as well, have you not? There are cursed spirits hidden within this building."
Luo Yu gave a subtle nod.
"Yes. The aura is faint—likely weaker than the one I eliminated this morning. And aside from cursed spirits, there are other presences too. Something akin to wandering ghosts."
"Royal Revenants?"
"No," he replied calmly. "Merely common spirits. If Royal Revenants were present, there would already be casualties."
He truly had not expected so many supernatural entities to be concealed within an ordinary school.
It seemed his campus life might prove more interesting than anticipated.
As time passed, the classroom gradually filled.
At last, two familiar figures entered—both female.
One was clearly of mixed heritage, slender in build, with golden twin tails tied high. The other possessed refined features framed by long black hair, her expression composed and slightly distant.
When the homeroom teacher arrived and began introductions, Luo Yu confirmed their identities.
Eriri Spencer Sawamura.
Yukino Yukinoshita.
The female leads of two entirely different stories now appeared in the same classroom. That, admittedly, surprised him.
Was Eriri not supposed to be studying in Tokyo? And yet here she was in Chiba.
But considering this was a multiverse convergence, a world woven from multiple narratives, Luo Yu did not dwell on it further.
After introductions concluded, the teacher led the class to the auditorium for a rather uninspiring opening ceremony. Once that ended, regular lessons commenced.
"Thirty-five seats in total," Luo Yu noted mentally, "but only thirty-two occupied. Enrollment must be declining."
At first, Ranni had been observing the mathematics written upon the blackboard. Hearing his comment, she shifted her attention toward him.
"My king, are you not listening?"
"I already understand it. A quick glance is enough. First-year high school material is quite simple."
Ranni was not surprised in the slightest. He had mastered Carian royal sorceries—and even Ranni's Dark Moon—after seeing them only once. His capacity for learning had never been in doubt.
"When you speak of declining enrollment," Ranni continued softly, "do you mean there are few students? Such numbers would be unimaginable at the Carian Royal Academy."
"The environment differs. This world is relatively safe—at least on the surface. And what is taught here is not magic. Not everyone can learn sorcery."
As he spoke, Luo Yu lowered his gaze and began writing in his notebook.
Not mathematics.
Sorcery.
Flesh regeneration.
Artificial body construction.
Beyond living expenses, his foremost priority was Ranni's body.
Ranni naturally saw what he was writing, yet she neither intervened nor discouraged him.
Her goal in The Lands Between had already been fulfilled. As long as his pursuits did not endanger his life, she would not oppose him.
After all, this was the king she had chosen—one who had walked the most arduous path without hesitation for her sake.
The first forty-five-minute period ended swiftly. The teacher assigned light homework and departed.
The moment the door closed, the classroom grew lively.
Several girls immediately gathered around Luo Yu.
There were many boys in class, but in terms of appearance, Luo Yu undoubtedly ranked at the top. For girls newly entering high school and eager to experience youth in full bloom, curiosity came naturally.
Intending to explore the building further, Luo Yu offered brief, polite responses before excusing himself under the pretext of going to the restroom.
"Ahh… Luo Yu feels kind of distant."
"Well, it is the first day of school."
"Hey, did you notice? He's wearing a rather ornate ring on his ring finger."
"Really? I didn't see!"
"It looked antique… but it's on his ring finger."
"Does that mean he has a girlfriend?"
"Is she from our school?"
"No idea!"
Their animated gossip carried across the room.
Not far away, Yukino Yukinoshita shifted her gaze slightly in his direction.