"So, explain yourself." The first elder spoke as soon as I took a seat opposite to him. I had requested that all the other officials leave and he accepted.
This isn't that much of an issue for . Although I would have liked it if the empire didn't get their hands on my assets, it is also unavoidable since I am deeply entangled with the empire.
I an, Adrian is but in a way, I am Adrian now. And not to ntion the fact that it is the shortest way to build my authority in this world.
"Why bother? You have already investigated everything." I replied while leaning back in my chair. I'm not the kind to lie so it was better to let him assu his own scenario rather than lying to him.
"I have." He solemnly said, probably referring to the elven artifact, and then added, "I also know that you hold sothing the elves want."
The director of the academy is said to be a war hero and one of humanity's saviors. I wouldn't say that he and these old n have a good relationship, but it wouldn't be wrong to say that they work in the sa industry.
It isn't strange if the first elder knows about it as well. But whether or not he thinks he can take it from is an entirely different story.
I remained silent. That was all the answer he needed to his own question and also to my stance on this matter.
"Very well." He said shortly afterward and chose to leave this topic. "Let us talk about the other things then."
He sighed and began, "I was asked by Orion to purchase that potion at all costs but now that I have vanquished the right to do so, I must give him a better reason than your grandson asked not to."
The first elder isn't so stupid that he doesn't know what would have happened if he had taken the potion to the empire. He also knows the risks that follow with that potion.
Although the central governnt has a different monarchy system, it isn't as political as the empire. That was the reason why they were so blatantly claiming that they could make those potions and no one could do anything about it.
In simpler words, the central governnt is strong from the inside while the empire is not. The political implications can't be handled with strength alone.
"I don't know what kind of a person I was before this but I know what kind I am now after so many months." So I told him what he needed to hear the most.
I will give him sothing that far surpasses the value of a re potion. "But, I also know that I am a citizen of the empire, so, to gain your trust, give this to the emperor."
The answer was simple. Give him sothing that cannot be found anywhere else. My allegiance.
Hence this, sothing the emperor desperately needs. The leverage.
=====
"Grandfather left in a hurry for sure. I thought he would wait until that eting from the central governnt." Alicia said while we were going to our classroom.
Well, of course, he left. He obtained sothing they needed more than anything else. Not even the potion can amount to what they have right now. So of course he didn't wait and left as soon as he read the whole thing.
"Today's training will be a bit harsher than before so be prepared," I said instead of replying to her query.
She flinched a bit but remained steadfast nonetheless. That's good. She was getting the hang of it. The sooner she learns, the better. There is not much ti left for the test after all.
We entered the classroom, and as usual, all the attention turned to or to be more precise, Alicia and Rose but since they were with , to .
So, I gave a beautiful smile that would charm the girls and make the boys jealous down to their bones.
We sat down and almost imdiately, Desmond entered and the class began.
"There is only a half month left in your first test. Keep in mind that those who don't do well compared to the students from lower classes, would be demoted and the students of lower sections and classes would be promoted to take your place." At the end of the class, he inford the whole class.
A student raised her hand and Desmond nodded, giving her permission. "Professor, you haven't told us yet what kind of test it would be."
Desmond nodded and replied, "I haven't, and nor will I ever will. Find out yourself. If you can't, then you deserve to fail."
As harsh as always but that was the whole point. I an, I doubt any of these students have been to the library since the beginning of classes.
Just taking the compulsory classes is boring enough, who in their right mind would also go to the library to read?
[You]
'Like I said, who in their right mind.'
No wonder the whole campus failed. Except for Eric and Sera, from our class, and one other person who is in the other class, no one else passed so the ranking was kept the sa since in the original tiline, Eric was the first rank, not .
But this ti, there will be one slight change in our classroom. Two other people would be entering our section instead of just one like the novel.
I raised my hand next. Desmond nodded so I asked, "Is it a team test or a separate test?" The trick is not to be an idiot. Make the impression that you are hearing this for the first ti. I still have so hot rods left from the orientation test. I don't want to add another.
"It will be a single individual test." He replied. After that so other students asked questions but no one received a satisfactory answer so they gave up.
=====
"Good." I complinted Alicia while she handed the dagger.
"It's not easy for ," she said while smiling a bit sullenly.
"At least you are talking about it. Piling it inside your heart isn't good you know." I advised and put the dagger away. She was becoming better and better so I'm sure she will do better than average in this test.
I won't give her any additional information just like I didn't give any to Rose and Laura. All I gave them were so hints on what we would be facing. Whether they can face them or not, is entirely up to them.
"Let's finish up here," I said to the other two girls who simultaneously nodded. Laura wrapped her whip while Rose took off the trendous weight on her.
'She is near her breakthrough.' I thought as I assessed Rose's level.
[Rose Roosevelt LV 199]
Her progress had increased sowhat after the duel but I still hadn't taught her a dagger art. I was thinking of sothing else but for that, I would need her to be a little more stronger.
As for Alicia and Laura, there was no progress but after this test, I will also focus on both of them leveling up.
Laura was strong enough to bear small usage of dark mana so there was no concern from her side in this test. As for Alicia, well, I think she will do well but I can't be certain. The test is unique after all.
Anyway, the rest is now up to them. I have done all that I could for them.
As we exited the training room, a figure stood in the hallway in front of my personal training room. Her appearance was beautiful with golden hair like the imperial family but deep black eyes. A round face coupled with milky white skin and that mature look gave her a very unique outlook.
But what made her really stand out was her golden armor. The armor wasn't golden in color. It was literally made of gold. Her trademark.
Rachel Farron. Otherwise known as the Golden Fairy.
I smirked when I saw her. I knew why she was here and if her brief irritated flash was any indication; she wasn't happy about it.
"Your Highness," She still kept the proper decorum as she properly addressed and bowed slightly despite her unlikeliness of .
[Unlikeliness?]
'Fancy word for loathing.'
"Yes?" I asked, acting completely oblivious which only irritated her even more.
"My lady, Lady Sophien, the youngest of the house Vermillion requests an audience with you." She replied and stated her purpose.
"Why?" It wasn't who asked but Laura from the side like a jealous vigilant wife.
Rachel was caught off guard with such a sudden protective behavior that she didn't know how to reply. She turned to but I looked away. Let her deal with it on her own.
"Ah, it seems Your Highness is unaware of the issue between my Lady and His Highness," Rachel replied.
"What issue?" Laura asked with a raised eyebrow, expressing her suspicions.
"His Highness, the fifth imperial prince has fallen for my lady and is pestering her to marry him so my Lady has finally decided to address this issue properly," Rachel replied which froze my entire being.
What did she just say? Fallen for her? Pestering her to marry ?
"Is that so, honey?" Laura asked with a smile that sent chills down my entire being, even my soul.
"Lying!!! She's lying!!!" I loudly exclaid in my defense to Laura. Even Alicia was giving a stink eye from the side while Rose was able to mask her expression as always.
"For your sake," Laura spoke with a beautiful smile and then continued, "She better be."
Gulp.
Is that what Dad felt when Mom found out he had a crush in his childhood? I rember the thrashing he had gotten after that. I also rember what he said that day.
'A woman's jealousy is scarier than death.'
Of course, then I thought that he was just pathetic but over the years, I experienced by myself how insightful he was.
"Yes." I ekly mumbled and turned to look at Rachel. My eyes were seething with malice. I will get you for that.
"Very well. Let us go et with your lady." I said with a smile and she nodded back, with a provocative smile.
Ha! If she thinks she can get back at , then she is sorely mistaken. I have mastered the art of shalessness to the expert level.
[So proud]
I am.
[That wasn't a complint]
To it was.
======
"Honey!!! I'm ho!!!" I loudly announced when I entered the lab where Sophien was working. She was startled and almost dropped the papers in her hand while the woman behind herself was quite startled at my sudden announcent.
"What is this?" Sophien asked with a frown after regaining her composure.
"Huh?" I asked with a confused expression that would even fool a mind reader and asked, "Didn't you know?"
"Know what?" Her frown was still the sa as she asked.
"About our marriage," I replied to her question.
Now Sophien's expression changed for the worse. She wasn't happy about it at all. "What rubbish are you saying?" She asked with bubbling anger behind her words.
I wasn't least bit fazed by her anger and replied with a genuine contemplating expression, "That's weird. That's what she told . That we are getting married."
I pointed at Rachel who suddenly panicked when she realized what I was doing.
"No, My lady. What I ant was----" Rachel tried to explain herself but I intercepted her, "She told that you have been dreaming about lately and now you can't afford to keep delaying our eting because your heart wouldn't allow it so I urgently ca."
I told my imaginary fignt like a romanticist who was explaining a love story. Rachel only further panicked while Sophien's expression darkened even more as she glanced at Rachel who was now probably regretting her mistake from earlier.
"I don't know what rubbish you have heard but stop this joke or there will be consequences," Sophien spoke with an ugly expression that I wasn't aware her beautiful face could manage.
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