Although the farce in front of the theater ended with Lucian's complete failure,
The storm had just begun.
The day after the farce was stopped, an order from Napoleon VII came from the high palace.
This order was made into a notice by the imperial officials, and it was plastered all over the imperial capital along the streets.
The content of the notice was very simple. On one hand, it reprimanded Lucian for being arrogant and conceited. On the other hand, it praised Hughes and made him a role model for the new generation of nobles in the empire.
Apart from that, the emperor also made a promise.
If Hughes did not succeed in entering the Hiro Royal Academy, Napoleon VII would use the name of the Academy's President to make an exception and admit Hughes as a reward.
Not long after the notice was posted, the entire noble circle of the imperial capital exploded.
Years of scheming and plotting against each other allowed these imperial nobles to see more from this edict.
They contacted the nobles who were usually on the same line of interest as them and started discussions one after another.
Duke's Bauhinia residence, Mark Oscar's study room.
"Everyone has seen the notice right? I called everyone here today because of this matter."
"What are your opinions on this matter? Tell me your thoughts, and we'll ponder over it together."
As soon as everyone arrived, Mark straightforwardly brought up the topic.
As the Internal Affairs Officer of Napoleon VII, he was very keen to detect a hint of inexplicable meaning from this edict.
Today, he gathered these people to see about how many people had the same perspectives as him.
"Duke Oscar, I think His Majesty is sending us a signal."
"The Smith family has been too prosperous these years. His Majesty is trying to use our hands to weaken the Smith family's position in the hearts of the people of the Imperial City."
"I won't hide it anymore. Recently, I've found out that His Majesty often talks about Norton's name alone in the middle of the night."
The person who spoke was Baron Orloway. His sister was Napoleon VII's lover.
"I think this will be our opportunity. Although His Majesty might not kill the Smith family in one go, we can still make a lot of money this time even if we just make them spit something out!"
All the nobles present were sensible people. They instantly understood Baron Orloway and Duke Bauhinia's intention.
Although they were worried, these people still joined the two of them due to the power of interest.
…
Unlike the upper-class nobles, the lower-class commoners were much simpler.
The moment they saw the edict, the first reaction of these commoners was that it was unfair.
Yes, it was unfair!
The Hiro Empire had been established for more than 2,700 years.
Class divisions were rigid, and the only way to rise was through public institutions like the Hiro Royal Academy.
Now, the Emperor used the excuse of a new era of noble role model to forcefully give Hughes a pass to enter the Hiro Royal Academy.
How could the commoners at the bottom not be angry!
One would become a model of morality if he didn't cause troubles?
If one did not cause trouble, he would be able to enter the Empire's Best Academy -- the Hiro Royal Academy?
Was there any justice in this? Was this even fair! !
They won't agree, even if Hughes was the son of Saint Magician Norton Smith, they could not agree!
"What kind of bewitching potion did this Hughes give His Majesty to make His Majesty make such a decision!"
"We want to petition His Majesty to take back his order!"
"The exam is no child's play. Hughes, a trash with inferior elemental affinity, is not worthy to be enrolled in Hiro Royal Academy!"
"Petition! We want to petition..."
Under the notice wall, countless people who were hired by the nobles of the imperial capital acted like hungry wolves who shouted at the top of their lungs to petition.
The ordinary sheep-like citizens, stimulated by these scheming villains, erupted with a strong desire to fight.
After a short while, the citizens held high the banner of the petition and walked onto the streets with sonorous and powerful steps.
The densely packed citizens set out from every corner of the imperial capital and finally gathered into a torrent on the main road in the center of the imperial capital.
This torrent had only one purpose today. It was to go to the imperial palace and request the Great Emperor, Napoleon VII, to withdraw the order.
As they advanced, the law enforcers who maintained order in the imperial city automatically opened the way for them.
The indignant merchants held their food high, turning their support into actual support.
Even among the nobles, there were people who joined this flood. The leader was Baron Orloway.
At this moment, he was walking at the front of the group, holding a red flag that was covered with all kinds of clan emblems.
The grand banquet had officially begun!
…
Duke Tulip's residence, Norton Smith's study room.
Tap Tap Tap…
Duke Norton raised his fingers and tapped on the table.
His expression was extremely ugly, his brows were tightly furrowed, and his gaze was frighteningly cold.
Three hours ago, Norton, who was in the military camp, received news that his son's registration had been used by Napoleon VII.
The anxious Norton used the space teleportation spell thirty times in a row and rushed back to the Duke's mansion before sunset.
"I told you not to cause trouble, not to cause trouble. Yet you refined the anti-magic stone without saying a word and forced me to register for you! Now look, it's ruined!"
After a moment of silence, Norton changed his cold and hard style and started to grumble.
After living in the upper echelons of the empire for half a lifetime, Norton knew Napoleon VII's plan very clearly.
His Majesty wanted to use this method to tie the public's opinion and unite with the nobles to force his son to compete with Lucian.
Norton panicked because the one who faced this crisis was not himself, but his son, Hughes.
Hughes had just refined the anti-magic stone. He needed at least half a month to adapt to the changes in his body.
Before he completely mastered the anti-magic stone cultivation method, his combat strength would be reduced by at least 70%.
It was impossible for him to be a match for a Tier 2 mage like Lucian!
"Father, don't worry. I will take care of this matter."
Hughes' eyes shone brightly. His eyes were full of fighting spirit!