Last Gun Alchemist

Chapter 284: Orientation Week

Morning quietly arrived over the Royal Academy.

The first rays of sunlight gradually pushed away the cold darkness of dawn, spreading across the elegant residential district of the East Wing. Thin layers of snow still rested upon the rooftops and gardens, while faint white mist drifted above the stone roads, creating a peaceful scene that only the early risers were fortunate enough to witness.

Like every other morning...

Ezra woke before sunrise.

His routine hadn’t changed simply because he had entered the Royal Academy.

After washing up and changing into simple training clothes, he quietly stepped outside his residence and began his usual morning exercise.

His breathing remained calm.

Steady.

Each step landed with the same measured rhythm as he jogged along the stone road that stretched through the residential district.

Around that same time...

The front door of the neighboring house also opened.

Cyrus Burnwick stepped outside.

Music plugs rested comfortably in his ears while a soft orchestral melody played quietly. His hands remained tucked inside his pockets as he lazily began jogging along the opposite side of the road.

The two boys unknowingly started their morning exercise almost at the same moment.

Neither one looked toward the other.

Neither greeted the other.

They simply continued running at their own pace as though they were alone.

It was almost amusing.

Although they were now neighbors...

Neither of them had any idea.

Several minutes passed.

As the morning grew brighter, more first-year students gradually emerged from their assigned residences.

Some stretched before beginning their exercises.

Others practiced martial art forms inside their small front gardens.

Several Alchemists quietly sat cross-legged beneath the trees, circulating Cognis through their bodies before the day’s activities began.

The East Wing slowly became livelier.

Eventually...

Ezra completed his routine.

Without wasting another minute, he calmly returned to his residence.

Inside the house...

Lucy had already been awake for quite some time.

The pleasant aroma of breakfast filled the kitchen as steam rose gently from the pots resting upon the cooker.

She moved around with practiced efficiency.

Plates had already been prepared.

Utensils were neatly arranged.

Everything looked organized.

Just then...

Click.

The front door quietly opened.

Lucy immediately heard footsteps entering the house before slowly approaching the kitchen.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

She didn’t even need to turn around.

"Good morning, Master."

She gave a slight bow as Ezra entered.

"Good morning, Lucy."

Ezra nodded once in greeting before washing his hands.

Lucy continued arranging the dishes onto the serving trolley.

"Your orientation begins at seven o’clock."

She reminded him while carefully placing another plate beside the others.

"Yes."

Ezra answered simply.

He was already preparing to head upstairs.

Just as he reached the doorway...

He paused.

Turning his head slightly, he looked back at Lucy.

"And yours?"

Lucy looked up from the trolley.

"It starts around eight."

She smiled softly.

"The attendants have their own orientation just like you students’."

Ezra nodded once.

"I see."

Without adding anything else...

He quietly made his way upstairs.

Lucy watched him disappear around the corner before continuing her work.

She couldn’t help smiling faintly.

Even after entering the Royal Academy...

Her master hadn’t changed at all.

Several minutes later...

Ezra stepped out of his room.

He had already changed into the Royal Academy’s formal uniform.

The cream-colored shirt fit neatly beneath a long black military coat trimmed with elegant cream lining. Matching black trousers completed the uniform, while black gloves covered his hands.

Resting beneath one arm was the academy cap.

The attire naturally carried an air of discipline without becoming overly extravagant.

Today was Orientation Week.

A formal occasion.

Because of that...

Every part of the official uniform was required.

Unlike regular academy days, when students only needed to wear the basic uniform.

Ezra quietly checked everything one last time.

His finance card.

Academy guidebook.

Guns.

Space bag.

Nothing had been forgotten.

Only then did he leave his room.

Outside...

Lucy was already waiting.

She had also changed into the Royal Academy attendant uniform.

At first glance...

It looked almost identical to the Ashenlocke maid outfit she normally wore.

However...

There was one clear difference.

The pure white sections had been replaced with a refined cream color that matched the academy’s first year official theme.

The small change made the uniform look noticeably more elegant.

Lucy gave a small twirl.

"How does it look?"

Ezra glanced at her once.

"It suits you."

His answer remained as direct as ever.

Lucy’s smile immediately brightened.

"Thank you, Master."

Although his compliment contained only two words...

It was enough.

The two left the residence together.

Outside the district...

Ezra hired a Noble Steam Carriage.

The steam engine released a low hiss before the carriage slowly began moving toward the academy’s central district.

The journey didn’t take long.

By the time they arrived...

The once peaceful morning had transformed completely.

Students filled the roads leading toward the academy.

Groups had naturally formed overnight.

Some walked together because they already knew one another from their noble families.

Others had become acquainted during yesterday’s welcoming ceremony.

Laughter.

Conversations, and excitement.

The atmosphere perfectly reflected the beginning of academy life.

The Noble Steam Carriage gradually came to a stop.

"This is my stop."

Ezra quietly stepped down from the carriage.

Lucy remained seated inside.

She still needed to continue toward the attendants’ orientation.

She leaned slightly out the window.

"See you later, Master."

She waved cheerfully.

Ezra raised one hand in response.

"See you later."

The carriage door gently closed.

Moments later...

It disappeared into the flow of academy traffic.

Ezra calmly adjusted the strap of his space bag before following the steady stream of students heading toward the main academy building.

"Yo!"

A familiar voice suddenly called out from nearby.

"Ezra!"

Ezra stopped walking.

His black eyes calmly shifted toward the source of the voice.

Walking toward him...

Was Veda.

Just behind him...

Linda partially hid behind Veda’s shoulder.

Nickolas stood on the opposite side with both arms folded across his chest.

Cole quietly followed a few steps behind them.

Ezra calmly bowed.

"Greetings, Young Lord."

His eyes naturally shifted toward the others.

"And greetings... Young Lord’s people."

Cole immediately returned the greeting with a respectful bow.

Linda...

Simply looked away.

"Hmph."

She folded her arms while avoiding Ezra’s gaze.

Ezra quietly looked at her.

Then...

Back at Veda.

Silence lingered for a second.

Finally...

Linda stepped forward.

She pointed directly at Ezra.

"I heard... that from now on... I’m supposed to treat you as my equal."

Her voice sounded unusually stiff.

She clearly wasn’t accustomed to saying something like that.

The nervousness hidden beneath her proud expression couldn’t escape Veda’s notice.

Linda took another breath.

"Don’t get cocky just because you’ve become famous, Ezra."

She crossed her arms tightly.

"This is the Royal Academy."

Her eyes narrowed.

"If you fall behind here... you’ll be nothing more than another bug."

The surrounding students quietly glanced toward them after hearing her raised voice.

Ezra remained completely calm.

"I’ll remember your advice."

He answered as plainly as ever.

Linda’s lips twitched.

"...Tsk."

Clicking her tongue, she turned sharply and walked ahead.

"What’s with her?"

Ezra asked plainly.

Veda watched her leave before letting out a helpless chuckle.

"I think... she’s having trouble figuring out how she’s supposed to treat you now."

He smiled softly.

"You’ve gained quite a bit of status recently."

Ezra quietly looked toward Linda’s departing figure.

"I suppose so."

His answer remained short.

Then...

His gaze shifted.

Nickolas had been staring at him since the moment they met.

Not blinking.

Not looking away.

Simply...

Just.

Staring.

Ezra tilted his head ever so slightly.

"But..."

He calmly pointed toward Nickolas.

"What’s wrong with him?"

Veda blinked before turning around.

Only then did he notice Nickolas’s intense expression.

"Nicko..."

He laughed awkwardly.

"What exactly are you doing?"

Nickolas didn’t even move his eyes away from Ezra.

"I’m measuring him."

He answered seriously.

"I want to know whether I’ve finally caught up."

His pupils narrowed even further.

"I’m trying to sense exactly what level this sneaky monster has reached."

Veda covered his face with one hand.

"And... how’s that going?"

Nickolas finally sighed.

His shoulders dropped.

"...No idea."

He rubbed both eyes.

"I can only tell he’s still somewhere within the Novice Rank which is a damn lie."

His expression became thoroughly disappointed and a bit frustrated.

"Seriously, Ezra... why do you always hide everything?"

Veda looked toward Ezra with another helpless smile.

Ezra blinked once.

"You say that... as though you don’t do exactly the same thing."

For a brief moment...

Veda couldn’t answer.

Then...

He burst into a quiet laughter.

"...Fair enough."

He admitted, because Ezra wasn’t wrong.

Even Veda himself, deliberately concealed much of his own strength that people couldn’t tell exactly what rank or level he was at.

At that moment...

Cole stepped forward.

"Master."

He bowed respectfully.

Veda turned toward him.

"You’re leaving already?"

"Yes."

Cole nodded.

"Our orientation begins separately. I should head over now."

Veda smiled.

"Alright. Take care."

"I will, Master."

Cole bowed once more before quietly making his way toward the section reserved for attendants, where maids, butlers, and personal retainers were already gathering for their own orientation.

Veda watched him leave.

Then...

He suddenly clapped both hands together.

"Alright, boys."

He cracked his knuckles with an excited grin.

"Let’s get moving. I want to see what kind of surprises this academy has waiting for us."

Without waiting...

He confidently walked toward the academy building.

Nickolas followed immediately with the same energy of his leader.

Ezra remained standing for another brief moment.

His calm eyes quietly swept across the sea of unfamiliar faces filling the academy grounds.

Every one of them...

Was someone who had earned the right to stand inside the Royal Academy.

Some would become allies.

Others...

Would become obstacles.

Without another thought...

Ezra quietly followed behind Veda and Nickolas toward the beginning of their first Orientation Week.

Everyone gradually made their way into one of the academy’s largest lecture halls.

The room had been built on an enormous scale. Even after accommodating every first-year student, countless empty seats still remained, making the hall feel even grander than it already was. Long rows of polished wooden desks stretched from the front of the room all the way to the back, each one arranged in perfect order.

Large windows lined both sides of the hall, allowing the morning sunlight to pour inside and brighten the spacious interior.

The ceiling stood several stories high, supported by elegant pillars engraved with Alchemy patterns. Crystal lamps hung overhead, though they remained switched off thanks to the sunlight filling the room.

Students slowly took their seats.

Some immediately began introducing themselves to those sitting nearby.

Others quietly observed the room, trying to remember the faces of the people who would become their classmates for the next three years.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement.

Ezra quietly followed Veda and Nickolas toward the back rows.

Like most of the high-ranking nobles...

They naturally occupied the rear section of the classroom.

It wasn’t because anyone had assigned those seats to them.

Rather...

It had gradually become an unspoken habit among the noble families.

Ezra calmly sat down.

Veda occupied the seat beside him while Nickolas lazily dropped into the chair on Veda’s other side.

Several students discreetly glanced toward them before quickly looking away.

At the entrance of the lecture hall...

A cheerful voice suddenly rang out.

"Lady Selena!"

"Good morning!"

Several girls hurried toward the doorway with bright smiles on their faces.

Selena Galehart had only just entered the classroom when she found herself surrounded.

Their eyes sparkled with admiration.

"You look so beautiful in the Royal Academy uniform!"

One girl couldn’t stop herself from saying it aloud.

Another quickly nodded in agreement.

"Beautiful?"

She shook her head.

"No... She’s beyond elegant."

The girls looked at Selena almost as though they were admiring a painting.

The cream-and-black academy uniform suited her perfectly.

Combined with her graceful posture and gentle smile...

She naturally became the center of attention.

Not far away...

One boy rubbed his forehead.

"Ah... The girls are already making so much noise."

His expression clearly showed his annoyance.

The boy sitting beside him chuckled.

"You’re just jealous because you can’t get close."

The first boy immediately leaned toward him.

His voice dropped into a whisper.

"Do you want me to die?"

His friend blinked.

"What?"

The boy subtly pointed toward the opposite side of the classroom.

"Look carefully."

His eyes quietly moved toward the gathering noble heirs.

"Almost every famous young lord from powerful families is here."

He swallowed before continuing.

"If an ordinary guy like me... or anyone from our level... tries getting close to one of Britannia’s famous Flowers..."

He slowly shook his head.

"We’ll probably disappear before tomorrow morning."

His words weren’t entirely a joke.

Fear could clearly be seen in his eyes.

His friend instinctively swallowed.

He understood exactly what the other boy meant.

This wasn’t an ordinary academy.

Children from the Royal Family.

The Duke Houses.

Count Houses.

High-Ember Houses.

All of them would study together here too, and many of those families had old rivalries.

Political conflicts.

Business competition.

Personal grudges.

Even students from lower noble families already knew enough to avoid becoming caught in the middle.

Being dragged into someone else’s conflict...

Could completely ruin their academy life.

"I’ll stay far away."

The second boy nodded seriously.

"I still want to graduate alive."

Meanwhile...

Selena gently smiled at the girls surrounding her.

"Thank you, everyone."

Her voice remained soft and elegant.

"I hope we’ll all get along."

That simple reply immediately caused another wave of excitement.

"She’s so kind!"

"I knew Lady Selena would be nice!"

Several girls almost squealed in happiness.

Before anyone could continue...

Another loud voice echoed from outside the classroom.

"IT’S LADY SASHA!"

Instantly...

The attention inside the room shifted once again.

A second group of girls hurried toward the entrance.

Walking into the classroom together were Sasha, Ravenor, Cyrus, and several other members of House Burnwick.

The moment they appeared...

The entrance became crowded.

"Well..."

Cyrus quietly scratched the side of his head.

"I’m leaving."

He casually waved toward his siblings.

Without waiting for anyone to stop him...

He slipped through the growing crowd before anyone could surround him.

His movements were surprisingly smooth.

Within seconds...

He had already escaped.

Several disappointed girls stared after him.

"Eh?"

"Where did he go?"

Cyrus ignored the commotion completely.

Music plugs remained comfortably inside his ears as the familiar orchestra continued playing.

He calmly walked toward an empty seat around the middle rows of the classroom before sitting down by himself.

Meanwhile...

The attention had already shifted toward another person.

"Young Lord Ravenor is so handsome..."

Several girls couldn’t help whispering while staring at him.

Unlike Cyrus...

Ravenor made no attempt to avoid the crowd.

He simply continued walking.

Unfortunately...

Several girls unknowingly blocked his path.

Ravenor slowly stopped.

His expression remained as cold as ever.

"You are blocking the way."

His calm voice contained no anger.

Yet...

It carried enough pressure to instantly freeze everyone standing before him.

The girls stiffened.

Without saying another word...

They hurriedly stepped aside.

Even the girls standing around Sasha quietly became silent.

Only after the path cleared did Ravenor continue walking.

One hand rested behind his neck as he casually cracked it.

His sharp eyes slowly swept across the classroom.

Eventually...

They landed on Veda.

The two young lords quietly looked at one another.

Veda smiled first.

His usual carefree smile carried no hostility.

Ravenor simply narrowed his eyes slightly.

Then...

Without acknowledging the greeting...

He looked away.

He calmly walked toward a row only a short distance from Veda’s, choosing seats on the opposite side of the classroom.

The moment he sat down...

The girls who had just been frightened suddenly exploded with excitement once again.

"Kyaaaa!"

Their earlier fear disappeared almost instantly.

Several even covered their flushed faces.

"He’s so cool!"

One girl sighed dreamily.

"I wish he would glare at me again."

Another nodded enthusiastically.

"He really looks amazing."

"Tsk...Tsk..."

Nickolas clicked his tongue.

His eyes remained fixed on Ravenor.

"Why does he, of all people, get all the girls?"

He folded both arms tightly.

"And he was just rude to them. As usual."

Veda couldn’t help laughing.

"Now, now..."

He raised one finger toward Nickolas.

"You shouldn’t speak badly about someone behind their back."

Nickolas looked at him.

Veda continued smiling.

"Besides... Ravenor is the Young Lord of Burnwick. He’s incredibly talented as a Flame Alchemist."

His expression became more thoughtful.

"He may seem cold... but he’s actually a soft-hearted person."

Nickolas slowly turned his entire body toward Veda.

His face clearly showed disbelief.

"...Seriously?"

He stared at Veda as though he had just heard the strangest thing imaginable.

"The same Ravenor... who ignored you completely during last year’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony?"

Nickolas couldn’t stop himself from laughing under his breath.

He shook his head repeatedly.

"I still remember it. You greeted him politely, and that prick walked right past you without saying a single word."

Nickolas looked toward Ravenor again before sighing dramatically.

"Yeah..."

He pointed in Ravenor’s direction.

"That guy doesn’t need any kindness from you. He needs someone to beat some sense into him."

His expression remained unusually serious.

Veda could only smile helplessly.

Ezra, who had quietly listened to the entire conversation, remained expressionless.

His black eyes drifted toward Ravenor for only a brief moment before calmly returning to the front of the classroom.

The Royal Academy...

Was already proving to be much livelier than it had first appeared.