51: Chapter 51 Going to the Academy 51: Chapter 51 Going to the Academy The next morning, Anvis, having completed his preparations, headed to Karlars City in the company of the Duke and others aboard a transport.
The huge square in front of the City Lord Mansion is the gathering point for freshmen from various academies.
Boys and girls who meet a certain standard of talent will board floating transports here to head to their respective academies.
Among them, a small elite group with the topmost talent belongs to the Royal Pamir Academy.
Those of slightly lesser talent are absorbed by academies founded by the Four Great Families.
The majority of the remaining students are left for other academies to compete for.
This was a foundational rule set by Emperor Gloria at the founding of the Empire, unchangeable—
Along with this order, it was also decreed that the direct descendants of the Four Great Families and other major nobles must attend the Royal Pamir Academy in the Royal Capital once they reach a certain age.
This was a measure combining grace and authority, effectively acting as a form of political hostage.
To prevent backlash from the nobles, the Emperor also promised that in Pamir, they would receive the finest resources the Empire had to offer for cultivation, and they would have the opportunity to learn secret techniques unique to the Royal Family, thus saving face for everyone involved.
Of course, with the changes in the empire’s situation over thousands of years, the implied meaning of hostages has long since faded from history.
But this rule has been retained as a symbol of local allegiance to the Royal Family.
With this regulation, Pamir Academy nearly became the birthplace of the Empire’s upper class.
Other minor nobles strove to send their offspring to Pamir, thereby gaining an opportunity to enter this influential circle.
Emperor Gloria was a truly legendary sovereign.
Her original identity was that of the Fourth Princess of Ancient Magic Empire, Veselam, which once unified the entire Yar Continent, as recorded in history: Gloria Augustine.
After the Destruction Day, the Ancient Xiviser Empire collapsed overnight.
Nine floating cities, representing the empire’s highest magical achievements, either disintegrated, crashed, or disappeared into the spatial turbulence.
The highest governing body of the Empire, the Ring Council, was completely dissolved, and all Ninth Rank Limit Councilmen and most members vanished overnight, setting back the continent’s level of magic by at least a thousand years.
In times of crisis, Gloria, leveraging her identity as the sole surviving member of the Royal Family, gathered the remnants of the Magic Empire’s noble forces, and steadily marched south.
Amidst surrounding enemies, she forcefully reclaimed one-tenth of the land on the southeast side of the continent and renamed the reborn empire after herself.
In the first year of the Radiant History, on May 22, Gloria was officially crowned as the emperor, changing the Magic Calendar to Radiant History, thus establishing the Gloria Empire.
Since the Empire was newly established and in need of development, there was a severe shortage of talents of all kinds.
After taking office, the Emperor, with her remaining influence, boldly reformed the Empire, employing capable individuals regardless of their origins.
In order to draw more talents, Gloria unprecedentedly established the academy system.
The academies judged only by talent, not by background, effectively opening a crack in the solidified class structure that had enveloped the empire for thousands of years.
As a compromise with the nobles, the Emperor allowed nobles to freely build academies on their own lands.
With such developments over the decades, the Gloria Empire fully integrated its territories and, relying on the heritage left from the Ancient Magic Empire’s Royal Family, became the second greatest power of the continent.
In the 300th year of Radiant History, the Great Emperor handed over the Empire to Gloria II, whom she had personally guided for decades, leaving behind the Star Crown and Sword of King Selection before disappearing without a trace.
Inside the luxurious and elegant City Lord Mansion’s reception room, a noble young man dressed in a pure white, gold-trimmed long gown with a silver pocket watch chain stood before a large stone-arched window, his expression calm as he overlooked the many freshmen waiting in the square below.
“Anvis, when living by yourself, remember to take good care of yourself.
After arriving at the academy, if there’s anything you need, feel free to contact the family’s representative in the Royal Capital…”
A gentle female voice sounded from behind him, the beautiful Duchess Elena carefully advising, fearing that Anvis might not adapt well to academy life.
Turning around, Anvis smiled gently, nodded elegantly, and responded with practiced ease to his mother’s warmth.
“Brother, I wish you a smooth journey.”
Today, Fiona was dressed in a pale blue dress, her light golden hair adorned with a wide-brimmed ivory hat.
Following Anvis’s suggestion, she took out the gift box again and, under everyone’s gaze, presented it to Anvis.
Anvis pretended to be very surprised as he opened the gift box, then smiled and thanked Fiona.
Then, under Fiona’s astonished gaze, Anvis took out his own departing gift and handed it to Fiona.
Fiona was stunned by this sudden surprise, opening the gift box full of curiosity and anticipation.
Upon first glance, she saw a beautifully crafted—thick book!?
The girl’s initially excited emotions suddenly became a bit complex…
Observing the change in the girl’s expression, Anvis chuckled inwardly but continued with an unchanged expression, introducing the magical effects of this mysterious object to Fiona.
“Since you are also heading to the academy next year, I prepared a gift for you in advance.”
“It’s a magic artifact that I specifically made for you, although it looks like a thick book on the outside.
In fact, by injecting a bit of spiritual power, you can enter the world within the book.
The further you explore, the greater the impact you have on the world inside the book, and the more spiritual power it consumes, this process itself also has the effect of training spiritual power.
Although it is now just a particularly special storybook, it has the potential to grow.
As your tier increases, the dream world within the book will also continuously grow, expanding the world’s scope, reality, and details.
The body of the book will also obtain more mysterious effects, and in the end, it might even have an interesting ability such as ‘summoning fairy tale characters from the book into reality’.”
At last, Anvis deliberately lowered his voice, giving Fiona a teasing wink.
“Don’t worry, Fei, I’ve drawn illustrations on every page—”
What are you talking about, brother?
I was not worried about that!”
Fiona, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, almost choked upon hearing this, and quickly clarified her statement, then sneakily glanced at the Duke and Duchess.
Seeing the subtle expressions on their faces, the girl couldn’t help but glare indignantly at Anvis.
“Hmm, it seems I was mistaken, sorry, little sister.”
Anvis did not retort, but simply smiled softly, offering a gentlemanly apology to the young girl.
His courteous gesture made the young girl feel somewhat embarrassed.
“No, thank you, Fourth Brother, I really gift.”
These words came from Fiona’s heart; holding the book in her hands, the familial warmth and magical aura it emitted made her feel extremely comfortable.
The happiest about the amiable relationship between the siblings was the Duchess Elena.
Seeing the harmonious interaction between the two made her feel utterly contented.
At that moment, Duke Carrot suddenly spoke, and everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to the square.
Unbeknownst to them, the lighting in the square had already dimmed.
Amidst the resounding exclamations echoing through the square, an oppressively large object descended from the clouds.
Its massive size, like a dark cloud, overshadowed the sun, enveloping the entire square in its creeping shadow!
It was a retro-styled large ship, streamlined in shape, without sails.
Its body was made of dark silver metal, occasionally flashing inscriptions that shone brilliantly, creating a look both mysterious and powerful.
On the massive hull’s left side shone a glorious purple-gold castle crest.
The Pamir Academy welcoming team has arrived—