After spending three years in kindergarten, attending it more or less actively, it was about time to attend the Academy for Summoners.
Only the greatest talents could enter the Imperial Academy for Summoners. It was the most exceptional place of education in the entire Lacardia Empyrean Void, and many high-ranking nobles would attend the Academy from a young age.
The average Summoner was fourteen years old upon awakening their Soul Space. However, since they entered the Imperial Academy for Summoners, it was more likely to find children around the ten to twelve.
Most students in the Academy were around the age of eight to ten when they awoke their Soul Space, and they would enter the Monster Dimension after thorough preparations in order to find the strongest possible familiar.
They would train their Mana Core a little, and only attend the Imperial Academy for Summoners once they became full-fledge Summoners.
Thus, Celine didn't attract too much attention. She was only ten years old, which is on the lower end, but Nial was even younger. He was a full-fledged Summoner at the 1st Mirae rank, and only seven years old.
His arrival attracted lots of attention, though he didn't really mind that.
It was somewhat expected that his arrival would attract some attention. He was the crown prince and the youngest awakened in the history of the Lacardia Empyrean Void.
It would be weird if his arrival would be ignored by everyone.
Nonetheless, Nial didn't expect the situation to escalate like that.
The first thing that took him by surprise was that his mother forced him to take a carriage to the grand entrance of the Imperial Academy. He never used a carriage in his life, but he was suddenly requested to do so. Was that really necessary?
The atmosphere at the grand entrance of the Imperial Academy was filled with a sense of grandeur and anticipation. On one hand, Nial anticipated a few interesting years in the Imperial Academy, on the other hand, it felt like the expectations of other people began to weigh down on him.
Looking out of the carriage's window, he saw the sun shining brightly upon the imposing stone facade, casting a shadow across the masses of onlookers gathered to catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince's arrival.
'What the? Why are there so many people?'
Nial knew that many people were interested in him from his time in kindergarten. However, the situation outside the carriage seemed a little bit exaggerated.
'Mom didn't force them to halt their work and come out to see me, right?'
As he stepped out of the carriage, Nial was greeted by thunderous cheers and chaos of activity. The sound of trumpets filled the air, and the Academy's professors, and students, all dressed in their finest attire, lined up to greet him.
'Is this shit for real?'
While his thoughts were in a mess, wondering why they made such a big mess of his arrival, Nial made his way through the masses of 'well-wishers'. His bright smiles enchanted the masses while his presence around him commanded respect, attracting the attention of the people around him.
'I was already confused why mom told me to wear this…'wonderful attire'...now it makes sense.'
He was dressed in the finest robes of the empire, adorned with gold and precious gems, a testament to his status as the future ruler of the Lacardia Empyrean Void.
He figured that his mother had played him, but there was nothing Nial could do about it, not anymore.
He walked through the Academy's halls and was shown the many rooms and lecture halls where he would receive his education.
The walls were lined with great works of art that showed the history of the Capital, and the Imperial Academy. Pictures of various Familiars that fought against the masses of Devils and Demon could be seen everywhere.
The assembled professors and students greeted the Crown Prince with a standing ovation, their attention fully focused on their future rule as he began his studies at the Academy.
Nial felt the weight of his responsibilities bearing down upon him. It was terrifying. There was also a sense of excitement and determination sprouting within him. However, something felt a little weird.
He knew that the education at the Imperial Academy would prepare him for the challenges that lay ahead of him, and he was eager to start this new chapter of his life.
But the odd feeling in his heart didn't cease anymore.
It never did.
Nial realized the enormity of his role as the future leader of the Lacardia Empyrean Void. He understood what his responsibilities were and that it took a strong ruler to keep the empire together.
However, he also knew that he had the support of his people, in addition to the knowledge and skills which he could gain at the Imperial Academy to guide him on his journey.
Nial knew that this was more than enough to rule the empire. As long as he treated his people well, they would fight for him and the ideals he was standing for.
Problems would occur and he was bound to encounter dangerous situations in the future but for the time being, Nial could focus on becoming stronger, expanding his connections, and focusing on other things than becoming the ruler of an empire.
It was important to learn all those things, but Nial felt that it was far more important to stand in for himself, to build up a personality, and to become a person willing to show his emotions.
It was important that others knew how he was feeling and that it was fine for the ruler to show their emotions as well.
He might be frowned upon for trying to become like this, but that was fine.
Nial would try out his own thing by becoming a ruler everyone wanted to protect.
Of course, Nial would give him all to become strong enough to be the one protecting others rather than the other way around.
He wanted to become the Guardian of the Empire, not the weakling who had to be protected.