Knock knock.
I heard someone knocking my door when i still focus on status windows om my system, the sound of the door knocking once again woke me up from my reverie after looking at my windows status.
"Young master Tristan, are you awake?"
I can heard someone called me, or rather, the owner of the body i currently in.
"Yes i am, you can come in"
An old man in butler suit come to my room, he have slicked back grey hair and he wore monocle in his eyes, if i remember correctly his name is Winston, a head butler of Althrone family.
"Young master, Duke Aldric request your presence in the dinning room"
I straightened slightly before answer
"Fine"
Winston left my room then few maids come to my room and help me changed my clothes before i go to the dinning room.
I walked towards the dinning room as I couldn't help but be amazed by this place, a grand hallway covered in white and gold and carvings of the gryphin symbol, the Althrone family crest.
There are also many expensive-looking vases and paintings of Althrone family members, except for Tristan.
In a few minutes I finally arrived at the dinning room, luckily I got Tristan's memory too so it didn't take long to find this place.
When I opened the door, I could smell the scent if roasted meat and freshly baked bread, soup and salad, and some fruits that looked similar to fruits on earth.
I sat on an empty chair, facing the family that I had no intention of getting close to, since I knew what kind of destiny awaited this family.
Duke Aldric Althrone sat at the head of the table as the head of the Althrone family, His piercing golden eyes seemed to pierce straight into the soul, honestly it's creepy.
To his left is Lady Evelyn, she tristan stepmother, she sipped her tea with an air of effortless elegance, as if she weren't the most dangerous person in the room.
To his right sat Damien Althrone, my older brother, well stepbrother, whose expression was one of quiet confidence, perhaps even smugness, and beside him, Beatrice Althrone, my stepsister who one years younger than me, barely hide her distaste as she toyed with her silverware.
The silent was suffocating.
The head butler, winston, moved gracefully, pouring Tristan tea with practiced precision, the warm aroma of black tea reach my nose, yet, i made no move to drink it immediately.
My mind occupied with single though.
'i must survive this family first so I won't form a contract with Lilith'
Unsurprisingly, Duke Aldric the one who broke the silent.
"Tristan, you will attending Vermillion Academy tomorrow"
His gaze was unreadable, his face barely show any emotion as if he doesn't even have it in the first place, seriously he really creepy.
"As my son, you are expected to represent Althrone family, with nothing less than excellence"
A gentle smile was plastered on Evelyn's face, her face was smiling, but i can see hatred and disgust in her eyes
"Yes, we wouldn't want the world see you as...a disappointment, would we?"
I clenched my fist under the table, so it's already begins.
Damien chukled.
"With you talent, my dear younger brother, you shold have no teouble keeping up, right?"
'saying sweet words when I can see clearly there are sarcasms in those words'
I try to look sharply at Damien, with a smirk in my face, I try to provoke him.
"Of course, I'll make sure the academy remember the name of Althrone family, unlike someone"
"You!"
It's seems my provocation worked, Damien was provoked to anger considering that even though he was 1 year older than me and was trusted not to disgrace Althrone's name in the academy, but in fact Damien was a problem student who was in the urge to be expelled from the academy.
"Silence"
Aldric's words sounded annoyed, somewhat, and Damien forced to hold back his anger., he afraid of his father and don't want to provoke his anger.
As for Beatrice, she doesn't even bother to look at me and the other, just focusing eating her breakfast.
And so, just like that the breakfast was over and I'm back to my room to planning about what I have to do to survive for 3 years and prevent the invasion of the demon lord, and the most important thing? Of course, returning to my world.
...
And so, the day has finally come.
A sharp knock echoed through the my room.
"Young Master Tristan"
A voice called from behind the ornate wooden door.
"The carriage is ready. It is time."
I get up from my bed, rubbing my temples hearing Winston voice who came up to wake me up
I barely sleep last night, i still hadn't fully adjusted to this world. The weight of his new identity as Tristan Altrhrone, a heir of one of the most powerful noble families really felt suffocating. But there was no time to dwell on it now.
"Come in, Winston"
I responded, my voice steady.
The door creaked open, revealing his ever-composed butler. Winston, dressed in pristine black and silver, gave a deep bow before stepping inside.
"The Duke and the rest of the family await you in the dining hall. You are expected to leave immediately after breakfast"
I sighed before answered Winston call
"Right, the academy. It's finally time huh"
My gaze shifted towards the grand wardrobe across the room. Draped neatly inside was the uniform of Vermillion Academy, a symbol of status and power, worn only by the most elite of noble scions.
I pulled on the midnight-black tailored coat, adorned with intricate golden embroidery along the cuffs and collar, there tailored made Gryphon symbol in the collar, symbolize Althrone family symbol.
The deep crimson tie contrasted sharply against the crisp white shirt beneath, a mark of his belonging to the academy. The sigil of a golden phoenix, meticulously stitched over chest area, served as a constant reminder that this place was no mere school, it was a battlefield of prestige and power.
I adjusted the cuffs, slipping on my white gloves before grabbing the final piece, a long, flowing cloak lined with vermillion red on the inside. Reserved only for those of high nobility, the cloak billowed slightly as he moved, its presence a declaration of superiority.
I examined myself in the tall mirror. My silver hair contrasted against my crimson eyes, giving him an air of cold arrogance. A look befitting the villain i had become.
"Shall we?"
Winston inquired, standing by the door.
I exhaled and nodded.
"Let's get this over with."
---
The journey to the academy was uneventful. Seated within the luxurious carriage, Tristan stared out at the passing scenery. The capital city was a place of grandeur, its streets lined with opulent manors and towers of marble. Beyond that, the land stretched into rolling plains, leading toward the towering silhouette of Vermillion Academy of Sorcery in the distance.
But none of that mattered for me. What mattered was what awaited me inside.
Lyria.
The protagonist of the game. The one the original Tristan was destined to torment.
My fingers tapped idly against my knee. In the original storyline, this was where he would first cross paths with her. A girl of common birth, scorned by noble society, yet possessing a talent for magic unseen in centuries.
But this time, things would be different.
The carriage came to a smooth halt, and Winston opened the door for me.
I stepped out, the weight of countless watchful eyes already upon me. Whispers filled the air as students and attendants alike recognized his presence. The infamous Tristan Altrhrone had arrived.
And then, just as fate dictated, i saw her.
Standing alone near the entrance, adjusting a simple satchel over her shoulder, was a girl with chestnut-brown hair and striking sapphire eyes.
Lyria.
The one who would one day become the world's last hope.
And the one who, in the original game, had every reason to despise him.
But not this time.
This time, i would definitely change everything.