Chapter 7: Opening Ceremony

“First, let me confirm my current identity.”

Luoye stepped out from the shadows of the bushes, sweeping his gaze around as he walked, recalling his own identity.

First of all, he was this year’s top student in the Magic Department. Roughly speaking, that made him half a Student Representative, sitting at the same table as Alicia, the First Princess.

As for how he became the top student?

Luoye had a lot to say about that.

To sum it up—“My Sage Father.”

Secondly, although his position as Student Representative was decided by his status as the illegitimate son of that Sage, the greatest mage of the Imperial Magic Academy and the entire Empire, that didn’t mean he was relying solely on connections.

Luoye had properly passed the Academy Principal’s magic level test.

At present, he could use Third Stage Magic—Great Fireball Summoning and Shadow Magic, surpassing the vast majority of students, and becoming one of only two second-year students to achieve the rank of Third Stage Mage.

The other was Alicia.

A natural-born blessed one, favored by the gaze of some deity.

Lastly, he also held the position of Assistant Instructor, and in the entire history of the Academy, he was the only one to have received such an “honor.”

It was obvious the Sage wanted to cultivate him as the next Head Professor of the Academy.

In other words, as long as the Sage was still alive, and the Princess wasn’t assassinated in the next few years, his status in the Academy could, more or less, be called the “Crown Prince of the Academy.”

As long as he didn’t commit some outrageous, fundamental mistake, nothing would happen to him.

Luoye stroked his chin, muttering under his breath, “Why does this feel so familiar?”

It was as if some “Cassel Crown Prince” was in a similar situation.

Ahem, never mind that.

Luoye headed toward the classroom building… Oh wait, it should be the auditorium behind the classroom building.

The opening ceremony was about to begin.

Following the directions, Luoye found the spot for the second-year students.

The Academy had a total of six grades. Grades one to four focused on theoretical courses, held within the Academy.

Grades five and six were for practical training. Most of the time, students had to form teams and leave the Academy, heading to the Adventurers’ Guild or accepting private commissions from Nobles, to complete real-world adventure assessments.

In terms of his previous life, it was like completing undergraduate studies in years one to three, and in the fourth year, unless you were preparing for graduate school or civil service, you needed to get an internship certificate.

According to the original owner’s memories, Luoye himself had a rather reclusive personality and didn’t have many friends in the Academy. After all, bearing the label of “illegitimate son” in this Empire where magical resources were monopolized by the Nobles, and with the Magic Academy filled with the offspring of Nobles, it was easy for someone with his background to be despised.

So, no one greeted him now.

Except for a few well-mannered, or socially aspiring minor Noble children who, unable to stir up much trouble, would approach him because of his outstanding abilities.

However, though Luoye knew he wasn’t well-liked among the crowd, he was well aware that gazes kept falling on him from all directions.

After all, as the top student, Student Representative, and the Sage’s illegitimate son, it was hard not to attract attention.

Luoye simply found a small room with a view of the stage and hid there. Anyway, no one would bother him.

But…

While hiding in the small room, Luoye heard the chattering voices of girls passing by outside.

The voices were very familiar.

“Ugh, those people, they don’t understand that cuteness is justice! I’m still growing, you know!”

The one saying this was Lilith, the green-haired girl who had competed in acting with Luoye at the Funeral.

Luoye hid quietly, peering out through the small window, and saw Alicia, Lilith, and Anna following behind them, catching sight of their backs.

“Calm down, Lilith.” Alicia gently comforted her, placing her right hand elegantly on her ample chest. “This is the auditorium. If you make too much of a scene here, the instructors will take note of it.”

“But those people are so mean! Alicia, don’t you think so too?” Lilith clenched her small fists and waved them energetically.

Alicia couldn’t help but laugh.

“I don’t think so at all, and I don’t think they were talking about you. Don’t take it personally. There were so many girls walking with you at the time, and you all have similar figures. Maybe they were talking about someone else among them.”

“Alicia…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“You’re really asking me what’s wrong?” Lilith puffed her cheeks in frustration, pouting. “Ah, Alicia, you just don’t understand people at all!”

“Don’t understand people?”

Alicia tilted her head and looked back at Anna. “Anna, do you know what Lilith is talking about?”

“Your Highness is so fair… Ah, no, I mean, I don’t know what Miss Lilith is talking about either.”

Anna, who had been staring at Alicia’s back, quickly snapped back to her senses.

“Who asks their own bodyguard a question like that and expects a fair answer! Really!”

Lilith grumbled in dissatisfaction, glancing at Alicia’s perfect, yet oblivious figure, and then at her own, seeing Alicia’s innocent, confused look.

Ugh.

She’d never been happy comparing herself side by side with Alicia.

…

Inside the room.

Luoye watched the scene, deep in thought.

If he only saw this, he might think Alicia and Lilith were on very good terms, and that much was true.

But considering the Funeral three years later, and Lilith’s dramatic performance at Alicia’s Funeral, her current behavior was rather questionable.

“Could it be that this so-called ‘half of one another’ relationship is actually just a fake sisterhood?”

Luoye stroked his chin, musing aloud.

The opening ceremony proceeded as scheduled.

After the Academy Principal’s speech, it was Alicia’s turn to speak.

Without a doubt, as the First Princess, Alicia was even more suited to be Student Representative at this nearly “Noble-only” Imperial Magic Academy than the Sage’s heir.

Being elected Student Council President as a second-year student was further proof of her ability.

Luoye watched as she stepped onto the stage.

Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall with every step, her lashes fluttered like bird wings, and her amber eyes were dazzlingly beautiful. Sunlight streamed through the window onto her breathtaking face, making her seem elegant and lovely, so beautiful it took one’s breath away.

Alicia gently straightened the collar of her Academy uniform and, under everyone’s gaze, walked slowly to the center podium of the auditorium.

“Honored instructors and fellow students,” Alicia’s voice was clear and resonant, instantly quieting the noisy hall, “it is a great honor to speak here as the Student Representative…”

Luoye couldn’t help but rub his forehead.

It seemed that no matter what world it was, the opening remarks and speeches at such occasions were always the same.

When the opening ceremony ended, Luoye slipped into the crowd and walked to the bulletin board to check the Class Assignment.

The new semester’s schedule was similar to university, with elective and required courses, but basically, the first class every term was always the “New Stage Magic Concept Theory Class,” held in large groups. This was an Academy tradition and didn’t require much attention.

The only thing that mattered was the Class Assignment.

“Let me see… Where’s the second-year section… Ah, found it! I’m in the second-year ‘Sun Class.’ Each grade’s classes are listed in vertical order, and ‘Sun Class’ is at the top. That must mean it’s the key class of the year.”

Also, since everyone’s position in the class was sorted by the pronunciation of their names, Luoye first scanned the middle-to-later spots in ‘Sun Class,’ and sure enough, spotted his own name at a glance.

Since ‘Sun Class’ was the top class, then Alicia should be…

Luoye lifted his gaze and looked to the very top of the bulletin board.

As expected, Alicia’s name was written at the very top.

That was easier than expected. No need to look for Alicia across classes!

With a confident smile, Luoye headed toward the Sun Class’s classroom.