The Sovereign System.

Luke left Sebastian in the lobby, resisting the urge to take one last look at him. His nerves were jangling for a multitude of reasons—his system quest, his commoner status—hell, his safety.

Without Sebastian to protect him, he would have to rely on himself. Luke glanced down at his frail body and tried not to let despair seep in.

'What I lack in power, I'll make up in wit and intelligence,' he told himself, attempting to calm his racing heart.

But deep down, Luke knew that wit and intelligence would only take him so far. In this world, might made right—he had learned that from the moment he transmigrated and nearly died. As much as he hated the torturous training Sebastian had put him through, it was clear that he needed to continue with it or risk becoming easy prey.

His thoughts were interrupted by the soldier beside him.

"You came just in time for this summer's batch of officers," the soldier said, attempting small talk.

Luke nodded. In retrospect, it made sense that the Academy wouldn't accept intakes year-round. The fact that he'd taken the test and been admitted within days was lucky.

"How many are in this batch?" Luke asked, more curious than anything.

The soldier tilted his head, thinking. "There's only ten, mostly from minor noble families," he said, then hesitated. "There's also the youngest son of the City Lord, Viscount Diego."

Luke's heart skipped a beat. 'A City Lord's son? A Viscount?'

Panic bloomed in his chest. He vaguely remembered that this body's father had also been a Viscount, but still, a high rank like that only came with great contributions to the Kingdom.

'I... I have to go against the son of a Viscount?' Luke could barely contain the terror rising within him.

The son of a such a figure would be strong, well-trained, and far more dangerous than someone like him. Not to mention that the guy probably had a pompous attitude and would likely make things difficult for him.

His instincts told him that he needed to fly under the radar—do his best not to offend anyone, especially a City Lord. However, his damn system made it impossible.

The soldier seemed to have noticed his plight, as he chose to remain quiet for the remainder of the trip while Luke was busy despairing.

Before he knew it, he arrived at the large wooden double doors which spanned at least twice his height. Luke's gaze traveled up to the soldier who was looking at him with what could be interpreted as a pitiful smile.

"Well, this is as far as I go. Good luck." The soldier said, quickly turning on his heel and leaving.

"Ah…" Luke wanted to reach after him, but the guy was already speed walking away, like a criminal leaving the scene of the crime.

'Damn it. Now I'm even more nervous.' He cursed in his heart, turning to the door once more.

Luke had hardly any time to consider any plans since receiving the quest from the system. He didn't know what sort of approach he could take to complete it, nor the parameters for success or failure.

"Excuse me, are you heading to the induction ceremony also?"

Luke was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a polite voice behind him. He quickly turned his head, only to see a blond teen with wide and caring eyes staring back at him.

His actions were elegant and charming, though it was his handsome face and striking blue eyes that drew one's attention.

Instantly, Luke felt defeated. Despite transmigrating into a new body, it was frail and his looks could be called average. Yet before him stood someone that wouldn't be out of place in a fairy tale playing as the white prince.

'Life is cruel.' He said inwardly, cursing his luck.

"Ah, yes sorry. I was just composing myself." Luke managed to say after a brief mental breakdown filled with inadequacy.

Luke saw the handsome face produce a knowing smile, the blue eyes softening into one of empathy and understanding.

"Would you like me to accompany you?" The teen asked, as if attempting to calm his nerves.

"S-Sure." Luke stammered, feeling his heart flutter momentarily.

The next few moments felt like a fever dream as the teen smiled brilliantly and opened the door, beckoning him alongside. The light from the courtyard blurred his vision, yet the noble teen's visage was still visible.

'W-What the hell is wrong with me!?' Luke screamed inwardly, feeling like a helpless damsel being rescued by the white knight.

Thankfully, he snapped out of his daze just in time.

"And this must be our last two inductees," a deep, hoarse voice called from the center of the courtyard.

As Luke's eyes adjusted to the light, he saw a burly figure clad in metal armor standing next to an older man in red and white robes, the latter's long white beard giving him a commanding presence. In front of them stood eight teens in fine robes, each waiting with calm patience.

"I apologize for being late, masters. My father had me running a few important errands this morning," the blond teen said smoothly, cupping his fist and bowing toward the two figures.

"It's no matter. You're here now," the old man replied, his face lighting up with a fond smile.

Luke, however, was apparently an afterthought. He saw the old man's eyes pass over him briefly, the smile disappearing as if he'd just remembered something unpleasant.

'Playing favorites already?' He scoffed inwardly, mentally cursing the decrepit old man.

"Welcome, everyone, to your induction into the Military Academy. As you all know, this is the officers' class, which means you will primarily be learning the strategy and tactics surrounding warfare," Master Gale said, stroking his long beard.

Luke noticed the old man's gaze move across the inductees, yet not once did he look in his direction, as if he was not there.

"While strategy will be your main focus, even tacticians must have some level of physical prowess on the battlefield," Master Gale continued, his lips curling into a grin.

His eyes locked onto the blond teen, and he called out, "Kayson, would you care to explain why that is?"

Luke rolled his eyes. 'Such a simple question.'

"Yes, Master Gale," Kayson replied smoothly. "Tacticians are the number one asset in any army, and their presence can be the difference between victory and defeat. If one is killed during battle, the army will be left like a snake without its head."

He continued, "Therefore, if a tactician is able to defend themselves, it makes it far more difficult to put an end to the battle in such a way."

Kayson spoke with perfect eloquence, drawing approving glances from the other inductees. Even Master Gale seemed impressed.

Luke, on the other hand, felt his frustration rising. 'There's definitely some favoritism going on.'

"Well said. As expected of the City Lord's son," Master Gale nodded approvingly.

'What!?' Luke nearly staggered. 'He's the City Lord's son?'

He had assumed one of the more arrogant-looking attendees would be Viscount Diego's heir, but it just had to be the princely one.

Luke's frown deepened, and panic started creeping in. Aren't nobles supposed to be haughty and pompous? Why is this kid so perfect?

Not only was Kayson well-mannered and eloquent, but he also seemed respected by his peers. Worse, he actually seemed like someone who'd be easy to get along with.

Under normal circumstances, that would've been a relief. But not when Luke had a system quest hanging over his head.

While Luke was busy wallowing in his terrible luck, Master Gale pressed on with his speech.

"As for who will tutor you in combat," Master Gale said, placing his hand on the burly man's armored shoulder, "it will be Master Boyd."

Luke finally got a proper look at the hulking figure. Clad in heavy armor, with a thick dark beard and tanned skin, Master Boyd cut an imposing figure. He stood silently, like a statue carved out of granite.

Master Boyd merely nodded, not saying a word.

As if that were enough of an introduction, Master Gale continued with a smile, "Well, since we're all here, how about we test some of your skills?"

Luke's heart sank at the words. Around him, the other teens practically buzzed with excitement, eager to show off their talents.

'Please be theory or something…' Luke silently begged.

If it had anything to do with tactics, he might have a fighting chance with the information gained by his Scholarly Pursuit skill. But his hopes were dashed the moment Master Boyd strode to the far end of the courtyard, pulling away a large sheet to reveal a rack full of wooden weapons.

Swords, spears, axes, staffs—an entire armory of disaster. The only saving grace was that they were all wooden, removing the lethality aspect of the weapons.

'Shit, shit, shit!' Luke cursed inwardly, resisting the urge to chew his nails. His pulse quickened, and he shrank back, grateful that no one seemed to notice his panic. He was at the rear of the pack, while everyone was distracted.

His gaze darted frantically across the weapons—until it landed on a bow tucked off to the side.

'A bow!' Relief washed over him, albeit briefly. 

The system had given him proficiency in the weapon, but then the doubts crept in. He'd never actually used one before. What if he couldn't even draw it? What if he missed? But none of the other weapons were even remotely an option.

His thoughts were interrupted when Gale's voice rang out, "For the first match, Kayson, would you care to demonstrate your capabilities against one of your peers?"

"I'd be happy to, Master Gale," Kayson replied with a slight bow.

Luke's eyes followed the blond teen as he made his way confidently to the rack, picking up a sword with the grace of someone who'd been doing it for years. A few swift movements, and the blade cut clean through the air, drawing admiring glances from the group.

"Mmm." Master Boyd nodded, as if he was silently approving the skills shown.

'Damn it… He's good.' Luke's mind raced.

Despite both being the son of a Viscount, the previous owner of his body had left him nothing. No sword skills, no combat training. Kayson was worlds ahead of him, and now Luke's only lifeline was a weapon he had never once held in his lifetime.

Kayson turned back to the group, waiting for instructions, his sword held effortlessly by his side.

"Hmm, how about we place you against… you there."

The words hit Luke like a ton of bricks. His heart dropped, and his legs nearly gave out beneath him.

'What? Me?'

He looked around desperately, hoping, praying, that Master Gale meant someone else. But there was no mistaking the steady gaze Kayson now directed right at him.

The group shifted, and Luke felt every eye in the courtyard land on him.

'Shit…'